Turn Space into Opportunity
A well-designed modular home or pod can do more than create additional living space. Subject to planning, rental, tax and other legal requirements, suitable accommodation may also create a valuable long-term rental opportunity.
From accommodation near colleges and universities to private residential letting and participation in housing-support arrangements such as HAP, New Chapter Homes can provide high-quality modular accommodation designed for modern Irish living.
The potential income depends on location, property type, size, specification, local market rents, occupancy and regulatory requirements.
The table below shows illustrative gross rental scenarios at different monthly rent levels. These are examples only — they are not guaranteed returns, valuations or financial advice.
| Monthly Rent | Annual (Gross) | 5 Years (Gross) | 10 Years (Gross) |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1,200/month | €14,400 | €72,000 | €144,000 |
| €1,500/month | €18,000 | €90,000 | €180,000 |
| €1,800/month | €21,600 | €108,000 | €216,000 |
| €2,000/month | €24,000 | €120,000 | €240,000 |
| €2,500/month | €30,000 | €150,000 | €300,000 |
Illustrative gross rental income only. These figures are not guaranteed returns, valuations or financial advice. They assume full occupancy and unchanged rent and do not account for tax, finance costs, vacancies, insurance, utilities, management, maintenance, registration, planning or other costs. Actual achievable rent depends on the property and local rental market.
For context, the RTB/ESRI Rent Index reported a national standardised average rent for new tenancies of €1,839 per month in Q1 2026. This is a national market benchmark and not an expected rent for a New Chapter Homes unit. Achievable rent depends on your Local Electoral Area, floor area, BER, specification and comparable properties.
Different accommodation sizes suit different rental uses. Achievable rent depends on your Local Electoral Area, floor area, BER, specification and comparable properties — check comparable local rents rather than assuming a fixed return.
Potential uses
Check comparable local rents for your area.
Potential uses
Check comparable local rents for your area.
Potential uses
Check comparable local rents for your area.
Suitable residential accommodation located close to universities, technological universities, colleges, training centres and major employment campuses may have rental demand.
It is important to understand the difference between:
Not every pod automatically qualifies as student-specific accommodation. You should verify the relevant requirements with your institution and the RTB.
Planning accommodation for a college, campus or student-rental project? Talk to New Chapter Homes about modular accommodation options.
Discuss a Student Accommodation ProjectHousing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social-housing support through which an approved tenant rents from a private landlord and the relevant local authority makes a monthly HAP payment to the landlord on the tenant's behalf, subject to the scheme's rules.
Homeless HAP is a specific form of HAP support for households assessed as homeless by the local authority, subject to its own rules and eligibility.
New Chapter Homes units are not automatically accepted by HAP or any local authority, and we do not promise government contracts.
Developing compliant modular accommodation for the private or supported rental market? Speak with our team about your project requirements.
Discuss a Supported Rental ProjectA range of housing-support and leasing programmes exist in Ireland, but eligibility varies considerably depending on the scheme, the property and the local authority. Possible programmes include:
Important: The Repair and Leasing Scheme concerns qualifying vacant properties and operates under its own eligibility rules. It does not provide a grant to purchase or install a new modular pod. Not every New Chapter unit qualifies for a government scheme. We encourage customers and developers to consult the relevant local authority for scheme-specific eligibility.
Ireland's Rent-a-Room Relief currently provides an annual exemption limit of €14,000 gross rental income where all qualifying conditions are satisfied.
Important: The €14,000 limit is not "€14,000 tax-free per pod" and not "every pod can earn €14,000 tax-free." A detached garden pod does not automatically qualify. Revenue currently states that Rent-a-Room Relief applies to a room or rooms in a qualifying person's main residence. A self-contained unit within or attached to the main residence may qualify, subject to Revenue's conditions. Revenue currently states that a self-contained unit that is not attached to the main residence cannot qualify for Rent-a-Room Relief.
If gross qualifying Rent-a-Room income exceeds €14,000, Revenue states that the total income becomes taxable under the relevant rules. Qualifying income must still be declared to Revenue.
You should consult official Revenue guidance on Rent-a-Room Relief and a tax professional for your individual circumstances.
Ireland's new planning exemptions, in effect from 27 July 2026, allow certain detached auxiliary habitable dwellings linked to the principal house, with floor areas between 32m² and 45m², subject to conditions.
These exemptions are subject to conditions and do not mean that every garden can automatically have a 45m² rental home without planning permission. Rent-a-Room Relief currently does not apply to these detached units. The Government indicated that the tax treatment and its interaction with Rent-a-Room Relief will be clarified during the Budgetary process, with any necessary amendments introduced in the Finance Bill.
Planning and tax rules can change. Customers should obtain current professional planning and tax advice for their individual circumstances. See the official Government information on the new planning exemptions for details.
Where Rent-a-Room Relief does not apply, normal Irish rental-income taxation may apply. Revenue permits certain qualifying rental expenses to be deducted when calculating taxable rental profit, subject to its rules. Examples may include qualifying:
The Residential Premises Rental Income Relief (RPRIR) provides, for 2026, a maximum Income Tax relief of €1,000 for qualifying individual landlords, subject to all applicable conditions. This is not €1,000 per pod or per property.
This information is not personalised tax advice. You should consult official Revenue guidance and a tax professional for your individual circumstances.
This comparison is for general information only and does not encourage avoidance of planning, RTB or tax obligations. Always verify current requirements with the relevant authorities.
Explore our modular homes, pods and compliance information to find the right accommodation solution for your rental project.
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Whether you're considering a single additional dwelling, accommodation close to a college, a private rental project or a larger modular accommodation development, talk to New Chapter Homes about the building solution.
New Chapter Homes does not promise planning approval, rental income, tax relief, HAP acceptance or government contracts.
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