Women's Housing & Co-Living Agreement (Ireland)
A women-only co-living agreement covering safety and security arrangements, shared facilities, visitor policy and included services. Drafted to rely on the gender-ground exemption in the Equal Status Act 2000 for genuine single-sex accommodation.
What's included
- Women-only occupancy basis and equality-law footing
- Safety, security and access-control arrangements
- Shared facilities and communal-area rules
- Visitor and overnight-guest policy
- Services and utilities included in the fee
- Licence-to-occupy structure where the provider resides on-site
- Anti-harassment and safeguarding commitments
- Signature block for resident and provider
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🇮🇪 Local law notes — Ireland
Single-sex, women-only accommodation in Ireland must rely on a genuine exemption under the Equal Status Acts 2000–2018 (particularly the gender-ground privacy exemption at s.5(2)(g) of the Equal Status Act 2000); the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) oversees this area. Whether the arrangement is a licence or a tenancy is decisive: where the provider or warden lives in the same building with shared facilities it is typically a licence outside the Residential Tenancies Act, whereas a self-contained let is a tenancy subject to the RTB and the one-month deposit cap. Providers should avoid discriminating on any other protected ground.
Inside the document
1. Parties and Room
This Agreement is between the Provider and the Resident named below for the allocated bed/room and shared use of communal areas at the stated address. It is a women-only residence.
2. Single-Sex Basis and Equality Compliance
Occupancy is restricted to women. This restriction is intended to fall within the gender-ground exemption in the Equal Status Act 2000 (notably s.5(2)(g)), where embarrassment or infringement of privacy could reasonably result from the presence of a person of another gender. The Provider will not otherwise discriminate on any protected ground under the Equal Status Acts 2000–2018.
3. Nature of the Arrangement (Licence)
Where the Provider or a warden resides in the same building, this is a licence to occupy and not a tenancy, and the Residential Tenancies Act does not apply. Where it is a self-contained tenancy, RTB rules and the deposit cap (one month's rent) apply instead.
4. Fees, Deposit and Services
The monthly fee and any deposit are stated below; where a tenancy exists, the deposit shall not exceed one month's rent. The fee includes the listed services (e.g. Wi-Fi, utilities, housekeeping of common areas, security).
5. Safety and Security
The Provider will maintain reasonable security measures such as controlled entry, lighting, and a warden/contact point. Residents must not share keys, access codes or entry fobs, and must report security concerns promptly. Fire-safety instructions must be followed.
6. Shared Facilities
Kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and common rooms are shared. Residents must keep communal areas clean, respect a rota where used, and avoid monopolising facilities. Personal belongings are kept at the resident's own risk.
7. Visitor Policy
Consistent with the single-sex character of the residence, visitor access to private and communal areas may be restricted, and overnight guests may be limited or prohibited. Any visitor rules are applied to protect resident privacy and safety.
8. Conduct and Safeguarding
Harassment, intimidation, or anti-social behaviour is prohibited. The Provider operates a safeguarding and complaints process; serious breaches may lead to termination on the notice stated in this Agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is women-only accommodation legal in Ireland?
Yes, where it genuinely relies on the gender-ground exemption in the Equal Status Act 2000, such as s.5(2)(g), which permits single-sex treatment where the presence of another gender could reasonably cause embarrassment or infringe privacy. The restriction must be genuine, not a pretext for other discrimination.
Is a women's PG or hostel a tenancy or a licence?
If the provider or a warden lives in the same building and rooms are shared, it is usually a licence outside the Residential Tenancies Act. A self-contained women's flat let on its own is more likely a tenancy subject to RTB rules and the one-month deposit cap.
Can visitor and overnight-guest rules be enforced?
Yes. In a licence the provider can set reasonable house rules on visitors, and single-sex residences commonly restrict access to protect resident privacy and safety, consistent with the equality-law exemption relied upon.