"My experience has been 90 per cent positive," says one Dundrum-based landlady, who has been taking in students for the past 20 years. "I have met some fantastic people over the years and been at the weddings of students I've had and their children's christenings."

Perhaps because of its "black economy" past, most of those with experience of taking in students are reluctant to go on the record with their tales. But they do have advice for those mulling it over.

"You really and truthfully have to want to do it," says one woman. "There is no point saying that it's just for pin money because it's not, it's hard work."

Another, who provides meals for the students she takes in, reiterates this point.

"When you have somebody in the house, you have to think what to do for the evening meal. If you don't feel like cooking, you can't just do toasted cheese sandwiches like you might the odd night for your own family."

She also notes that having strangers in the home changes things for the rest of the family. "The presence of another person has an effect on the family. It's not huge but it interrupts family life."

While many of those taking in students attempt to make it a home away from home, some are happy to leave the students to their own devices. Much depends on the personalities involved, the size of house and the type of facilities on offer.

One landlady, who has a large house with a separate TV-cum-living room for the students, says: "I give them a key to the hall door and the bedroom door. I really leave them to themselves."

Problems tend to arise with students who create a lot of noise, or who "take over", says the landlady of 20 years.

"I have a TV here for viewing but I don't expect them to sit with me all the time. That can really get under your skin," she says.

Personal hygiene can also prove contentious. This landlady recounts one of her most embarrassing moments, when she had to speak to one young male student about washing his feet. "It put me off taking in boys for a while," she says.

One of the biggest complaints, however, is about students with "attitude", those who "look down their nose at you". Where once students were so grateful for the room that they were more than willing to help out with things like washing up, those days are gone.

As one student recently told his landlady: "I'm paying for the service."

Finally, experienced landladies warn that some students go astray the minute they arrive in college, drinking heavily, skipping lectures and railing against the restrictions imposed by digs accommodation.

"It's important that the child wants to be in a protected environment as well and is not just pushed in by the parents because they know he/she is a bit wild," says a Cork-based landlady who has been in the business for seven years. She advises would-be landlords to meet the student, preferably accompanied by both parents, in advance of taking them in so they can fully evaluate the situation.