‘Digs’ may suit many freshers
Annual rush for a place to live has already begun
F OR many students, going to college also involves a move away from home and finding suitable accommodation is an important part of the process.
This year, as has been the case in recent years, it could prove very difficult for students particularly in areas like Dublin, Maynooth and Galway and most big cities and suburbs.
First years are generally recommended not to enter the private rented market, although rising prices in some areas puts this out of reach for most.
The general advice to first years who need to find somewhere to live is to stay in purpose-built accommodation, either on campus or very close by, or to go into “digs” and live with a family, either with meals included, or on a self-catering basis.
Not only are digs more readily available, they can work out much cheaper than campus or house rentals as many overhead costs such as heating, electricity and other household charges are included in the weekly rates, cutting down on costs but also making it much easier for students and parents to budget their finances.
The pressure on housing in Dublin and some other places in the current academic year, and the consequent upward drift in rents, has led to many colleges as well as the Union of Students in Ireland encouraging students to seek “digs”.
Digs can be either for five days or seven days, with meals supplied, or on a self-catering basis. Colleges have lists of houses in their neighbourhoods offering a “digs” arrangement and students would be well advised to check with campus accommodation offices to help with the search.
According to Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), students who stayed in “digs” were, overall, happier with their accommodation than others.
Union of Students in Ireland (USI) president Michael Kerrigan backs that up: “According to our study, 66pc of students living in digs are satisfied with their arrangements.
“Digs are becoming a really affordable and viable alternative accommodation because of the rising cost of living in the private rental sector, and on campuses.
“USI is involved in a major campaign this year called Homes for Study, where it is both encouraging students to use the ‘digs’ option while also putting a call out for homeowners to make a room available.”
There is a significant financial incentive for homeowners in that they are allowed have €14,000-a-year tax-free income from renting a room.
“We want to match students with a home to study in, and house as many students as possible as a quick and shortterm solution to the student accommodation crisis,” said the USI president.
With the pressure on housing in the wider Dublin area extending to Maynooth, that university is pushing the digs option and has asked householders locally who have a room available to advertise it.
The seven universities and some other colleges offer on-campus accommodation, which has the benefit of being modern and fully-serviced. They also reserve a certain number of places for first-year students.
However, in many cases, campus accommodation is fully booked, although applicants on waiting lists may get a place if one becomes available. The best advice is to check with the college for which the student has received an offer.
Other sources of accommodation information include: daft.ie, collegecribs.ie, rent.ie and myhome.ie.