So you’re thinking of renting in Ireland? The country’s ever-increasing demand for rental accommodation has driven the average rent price up by 70% since bottoming out in late 2011. Students, yuppies and locals alike are all competing for the same types of housing, so you need to know how to rent in Ireland to give yourself the best chance.
What type of accommodation are you looking for and what’s available?
Flexibility is key when it comes to searching for housing in Ireland as strict ideas of what type of accommodation might mean that you miss out. There are private apartments complete in all the major university cities, though you’ll be competing with professionals for these, and we would recommend waiting until you arrive in the city to properly vet private accommodation.
Purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) is usually based on large campuses exclusively for students, free of bills and some often come with communal areas like gyms and games rooms. The off-campus privately-owned PBSAs are very expensive and out of reach for most students, which is why universities are under pressure to build on-campus PBSA to house over 50,000 students who received offers to study at university in Ireland this year.
The last option, which is a much more affordable, but likely to be less enjoyable, is the Irish student digs where families, or people with a spare room in their house, take a student in to live there under the promise of earning up to €14,000 tax free. Across Ireland, digs offer a place in a family home for five or seven days a week – the Union of Students launched the site homes.usi.ie, an encourages homeowners to advertise spare rooms on there.
Watch out for scams
Unfortunately scammers have taken advantage of the demand for accommodation in Ireland. Look out for the common scam, aimed at renters searching for housing from abroad, where fake properties are listed on websites and students are persuaded to send huge deposits. It is not recommended to hand any money over to private landlords before viewing the property.
Be prepared for higher than expected rent.
Students took to the streets of Dublin last year to protest the cost of renting. Despite the government’s efforts to extend rent caps to purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and Dublin’s Trinity College planning to build small amounts of PBSA, renting is going to cost you more than you already bargained for.
Where to find rented accommodation in Ireland?
The best place to find great accommodation deals is Facebook. There are a number of groups, many of which will be private and you’ll need to request access too. Tenants who already have a secured house and need replacement tenants or homeowners with a spare room will advertise on these groups.
Popular websites for renting in Ireland such as daft.ie, rent.ie and myhome.ie allow you to search by area or transit route and list all different types of accommodation. Searching online is also a great way to see your options and get ahead before you move from your home country.
To look for spare rooms, digs, and homestay options, search sites like www.homes.usi.ie
What do I do once I see accommodation I like?
Book a viewing quickly. This is a serious operation that you need to be prepared for. Every landlord who put a property on the market will have a full inbox on the first day they advertise. It’s your job to be at the front of the queue and stand out as a model tenant.
What do I do once I have the viewing?
Turn up to the viewing prepared to move in quickly and be sure to take with you all the documentation they could possibly ask for. It’s likely that if you want to sign for the house you will have to submit documents online, but the preparation at the viewing never hurts.
Here’s a list of the potential information you’re likely to need:
- Guarantor information
- Employer reference
- Landlord reference
- Home address
- Photo ID
- PPS number
- First month’s rent and one month’s deposit
Will I need an Irish guarantor?
With the amount of competition for housing when renting in Ireland, you need to be prepared with all of your documentation to send the estate agent or landlord. Guarantors provide landlords with peace of mind that they will be paid if you default on your rent. If you’re a student without an income, you’ll almost certainly need a guarantor to secure a home. This is where we come in.
If you are Renting in Ireland but don’t have a qualifying Irish Guarantor, Housing Hand can act as your guarantor for rent. Find out if you are eligible by applying with us online.
Once you’ve secured your rented place
Enjoy the fruits of your labour and living in whichever of Ireland’s beautiful cities you’ve chosen. Always remember your rights as a tenant, and that landlords are legally obliged to ensure that properties comply with minimum physical standards, so don’t stand for anything less.
This article about “Renting in Ireland” was written for Housing Hand – the only Rent Guarantor Service in Ireland by Neelam Tailor. Follow the link for more information about how Housing Hand can help you rent in Ireland without a qualifying Irish Guarantor.
