Homeowners are being urged to consider letting out their spare room to a student.
The Union of Students in Ireland has launched a campaign to encourage more people to offer "student digs".
It says digs are becoming a "real, affordable and viable alternative accommodation" for students amid spiralling rental costs.
The USI says the housing crisis means students are finding it harder than ever to get accommodation.
Homeowners can earn up to €14,000 tax free per year by renting out a room to students, on either a five-day or seven-day a week basis.
Damien McClean from the USI suggests that digs offer a win-win situation for students and home-owners.
He explained: "For students, it means they're able to focus on their degrees and studying - which you would think would be the forefront of what they are here to do.
"For homeowners, it's great... it's up to €14,000 tax free per year for a room that may have been empty anyway. It's a great way to meet new students, and it's great for company."
Households in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford are set to receive information about how to 'register their spare room' in the coming days.
