The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is to set up a temporary student village today at the top of Grafton Street in Dublin to protest at what students face when looking for accommodation. It says four out of five landlords in the city are not registered.
USI president Mr Will Priestley said students were protesting because much rented accommodation in the city was in breach of health and safety standards.
"A lot of students are afraid to report landlords because they might lose their accommodation," he said.
"We are trying to raise awareness amongst students to always get a receipt for their deposits. We're hearing time and time again of students not getting their deposits back."
The demonstration, which will involve the erection of tents at the St Stephen's Green end of Grafton Street, is intended to be a loud and colourful day-long protest drawing attention to the difficulties for students.
USI representatives will also be handing out checklists of things to look out for when renting.
"If landlords do not register, they do not have to worry about health and safety regulations, because nobody checks on it. At least if they register, students have some recourse," said Mr Priestley.
"Affordable accommodation is another big thing. If I'm a student and you're a professional, you will always be able to outbid me," he said.
A similar USI-backed protest took place yesterday in University College Cork.
The union's welfare officer dressed up as a cowboy to highlight the type of landlords which the union says many students in Cork face.
"Whereas in Dublin, the issue is that there is no accommodation, in Cork it is not difficult to find accommodation," said Mr Jack Mulcahy of the Students' Union.
"What is difficult to find is good quality accommodation at a decent price. While there is good quality out there, there are also hovels at exorbitant prices," he said.
"What we are saying to students is to know the value of what you are getting. Take your time. If something doesn't look worth €85, then it probably isn't."