We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
RELAXING THE PLANNING rules on cabin homes and modular buildings in peoples’ back gardens has received some mixed reactions.
The topic lit up RTÉ’s Liveline this afternoon, with many voicing their support for the idea, stating that this will help their families by allowing their children to save for a deposit and get them on the property ladder.
Some older people also said they would be open to moving out of the family home to a modular home in the garden, as it would still allow them to be near their children.
Given Ireland’s chequered history with property, there are of course concerns that people might take the mick, be greedy, and throw up shoddy modular units to rent at extortionate prices.
The Journal understands that it is the intention of the government that it will not be permitted to rent out the cabins or modular homes, though a question mark hangs over how that will be enforced.
Sources clarified that these units are not for renting, it’s for family members only.
There are probably good and bad sides to this idea, but the overall sentiment since the announcement appears to be ’sure, we’ll take any help where we can get at this stage’, such is the dire state of this country’s housing crisis.
Basically, housing change appears to be coming at a snail’s pace, so any ‘new’ idea is latched onto. Our bar for being impressed with housing solutions might be quite low at this stage. The government probably knows this too.
But, in the avoidance of being cynical, any chink of light in this housing crisis is welcomed by most.
What is notable is that opposition members, usually at the ready to slam any government proposal, have been relatively muted in their criticism.
In fact, many appear to agree with the move to some degree.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin said allowing cabins in back gardens is not a solution to the housing crisis, but in a statement he did state that the current rules are “too restrictive” and “greater flexibility” is required for homeowners seeking to erect free-standing structures on their property to provide housing for family members.
Similarly, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne does raise concerns about units being rented out, but goes on to state “some flexibility is warranted here”.
Why has the criticism been held back?
Most likely because they are also hearing that this is an issue for some of their own constituents. They might have heard stories in their area of people already living in these units, who have faced enforcement notices from local councils in the middle of a housing crisis, and been forced to demolish their small home.
So what is the thinking in government?
The idea, which is contained in the Programme for Government, has come after many families felt aggrieved that they had to apply for planning permission for their sons and daughters to live on the family’s land, close to home, rather than pay high rents.
Government sources state that they have heard at local level that people want this option as it will help them save for a deposit.
“It isn’t a silver bullet, nothing is in housing,” they said, stating that government is trying to respond pragmatically to the situations that people find themselves in.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
At least it might be helpful to all those who’ve already placed dwellings in their parents back gardens and are in fear of planning enforcement from the councils.
@Michael Burke: This is why they’re doing this. To backtrack planning permission on all the existing cabins is a logistical nightmare.
That, and of course, the opportunity to pat themselves on the back for solving the housing crisis.
@IMHO: this is not solving anything
@Shane O Mac: it could solve a lot of things for a lot of people.
Symptom of a bigger issue that has been wilfully ignored by the government for decades. Something is seriously rotten in this country if this is viewed as a positive.
@Áine F: why wouldn’t this be viewed as a positive measure? People should have the right to build a cabin in their own backyard. Why do you see this as a negative?
They’ll be rented out via airbnb.
@AnthonyK: big deal
Brilliant and parents and adult children can live separately.
@bridie lyng: you really think so- I bet the washing will be dropped in and not just on a weekend, and nightly visits just in time for dinner
Why not call them what they are? Prefabs.
@Fiona: I remember a time when having school children in prefabs for just 5-7 hours a day was considered to be terrible. Profit > people.
@Fiona: not necessarily. I’ve seen some very well made cabin homes that are better built than some of the house thrown up by developers
@Gwanddon: every once in a while, there’s a big push on Irish media for these prefabs. There has to be a vested interest. And yes, some are very well built, like the one in the photo. But it’s far from the reality most people would end up getting.
@Fiona: because that would be false information. The are far from prefabs
@Ger Whelan: same style thin, cheap walls. The walls are prefabricated, then put up. Prefabs.
@Fiona: the only difference between ‘modular’ and ‘prefab’ is that ‘modular’ hasn’t had negative publicity yet. ‘Modular’ also sounds futuristic and forward thinking. No harm to point out that ‘modular’ homes are just like prefabs, and that Irish people deserve better.
@Fiona: god I’m banging on here now, but I’ve seen prefab homes in other countries, and homes are built like that for a reason. Earthquakes, hurricanes/typhoons etc so it makes sense to build homes that cause the least damage when they fall. But to have them in Ireland? With our relentlessly damp climate? All to appease some eejit who probably has shares in them, and unfortunately has influence in Irish media also. Not right at all.
@Fiona: they’re a very different thing these days thankfully.
@Fergus O’Donnell: I hope you’re right!
@Fiona: by your reasoning, timber framed houses are also prefabs.
@mark sheehan: well then by your reasoning, all houses are prefabs.
@Fiona: our garden room, originally built as a sensory room, was designed and built by a carpenter. It’s insulated, wired, double glazed windows, sound insulated, has ventilation, etc. There is no plumbing because we didn’t want it to be considered an accommodation, but it’s much better quality than our 60s house
@Anne WG: our garden room is under 25m2, built with blocks, property insulated, ensuite and is much better quality than our 1990s house.
@Fiona: obviously never been in one, I have one and it is far better insulated than the house
@Gwanddon: they’d be the €400k holiday cabins for Ukrainian
@Anne WG: not mass produced though. Individual build, designed specifically for your needs. I couldn’t see that happening with a massive roll out across the country.
@Neil Reilly: would you prefer to live in it than your house?
@Gwanddon: for 100% most of them are much warmer I used to live in 1 for years , because I had nowhere to live, and where I live now is much colder than that cabin used to be and this is meant to be A rated apartment
@Go Home Tech Bro: hot dog!
@Fiona: I live in one. It’s absolutely perfect. Well insulated. Living room/kitchen and a bedroom with en suite. Built from scratch for €45k. Exactly what a single person like me needed. Was sharing with 2 others before this, one a raging alcoholic who was a nightmare.
From what I can gather, half the houses in Dublin have chalets and granny flats in the rear gardens. Not a bad thing, if they’re properly wired and plumbed!
A classic Irish solution to a huge Irish problem!!!… is this the best we can come up with?????
@Neil Harvey: it’s a step in the right direction at least. Let’s hope these cIowns in government can come up with more solutions.
Who came up with that idea? Telling young people that it will help them save for a proper house. These container units are at least E80k upwards and there only a temporary solution to the problem.
The elephant in the room is that the Irish Government are giving away all the new housing stock to all the people that are coming into Ireland in their droves.
@Tommy: I had one build from scratch for €45k.
No-one will abuse this, right? What could possible go wrong?!? Can’t wait to see photos of quadruple high bunk beds, three deep with no proper toilet or washing facilties. Mother of suffering eejits.
@Kit10 Dublin: all residential property is prone to such abuse, what would make these more susceptible? Are people not less likely to crap on their own doorstep ( back garden)
Watch the prices rise now for these structures/homes affordable yesterday not tomorrow
This has not been a success in the UK ,lots of unforeseen problems with families and neighbours too.A populous political distraction.
@Patrick Westman: if someone does it wrong and messes it up, it’s their own fault and their own problem. At least normal people have the option to put one in their backyard if they want it for their kids to play or for some other purpose. No one cares about the ones who do it wrong, just let them. I couldn’t care less.
House for Muhammed, hut for Paddy, But, Paddy pay for Both!
Who sells prefabs…… oh yes, good auld Denis O’Brien. More money for the bribe giver.
What size of cabin are we talking about here , how many beds , solution for septic if not on mains etc etc
@Gwanddon: porta-loos and solar panels..
@Gwanddon: ….oh it’ll be plumbed and connected to the mains alright, don’t worry about that
It’s about time to government relax the planning permission rules on cabins and peoples gardens. This could be a game changer for Ireland for the housing crisis it should’ve been done a long long time ago. I have personal experience of living in a log cabin for years and it changed my life and it really helped me out in difficult times, trying to find a place to live in Dublin is impossible so this is brilliant news. Let’s hope the government get their finger out and fast track this legislation.
It’s great in some cases; but it’ll be horrifically abused in others. A few people I know built cabins in their gardens, just one or two rooms, no kitchen (no bathrooms I don’t think). They had heat and light and were close to the main house. They were there for their children who had grown and had previously been sharing rooms, and others for family when coming to visit. For the above purposes I’m all for it. It’s when people start advertising them for rent to poor souls at €2k a pop, it’s taking the p—.
Imagine finding your dream, ‘forever home.. mortgaged to the hilt, but at least you finally have a place…Then, six months later, all your light and privacy ( and parking) is compromised.
@IMHO: So you invite your neighbour around to show how a particular area of your home has now been affected. Then the wife comes home and finds the two of you in a compromised position.
This is the equivalent of releasing one little finger while continuing to throttle the homeless with the remaining 9 fingers. It absolves the Government of having to do anything with public land, or provide servicing : power water and sewage and throws the light on minor deregulation instead of a State led solution. It will solve nothing but lock young adults to their parents for years to come.
Desperate times call for desperate measures
No renting so move in and rent the house to Ukrainians 1200 a month tax free
@Stephen Byrne: Sure they’ll be going home now trump sorted it all out by bending over to his handlers.
Will there be any objections? NIMBY
These log cabins and mobile homes have been in gardens for years. Thousands of people had no other choice. Govt has no option but to relent on planning
Won’t be allowed to rent just like air b&b is supposed to be in your residence?
Laughable.
Why can’t I build a block shed ? Block built is better built !! Timber cabins are useless and the prices now are going to rocket
@Horsebox: shipping container.. easily modified.
@Horsebox: you can build a block shed, under 25m2.
@Julio’s Evil Twin: Well blocks can be carried, one by one, into the back garden of an estate house.. Shipping containers (while cool) are one big piece, so moving them is a bit more tricky.
@Horsebox: better off with block and you will be fine you would be very unlucky to get reported build away
@Chop Chop: thas true ..
@Chop Chop: Crane Hire is available
Some of those modular systems are much higher speced than a new house. And there’s simply not enough capacity (skilled labour) to build houses as we continue to – which for the most part is medieval, wasteful and some of the poorest quality in Europe, judging by the awful quality on finished builds I have seen in the last year or so. I hope this modular trend continues and evolves.
Many people already own such units and choose to rent them out. The decision to rent is entirely at the owner’s discretion. The government has created circumstances where young people may have to live in cabins, making it impractical to regulate their use.
I’m already deciding how much I will rent it out for.
Nice one ma,gonna paper me old treehouse ,I’ll be at six for the grub ;)
have your say