‘Ho me away from home’ attractive option for house owner and student
A WOMAN who is renting out two rooms this year says it’s a “home away from home” for students outside Dublin.
Mother-of-one Louise Murtagh, who is originally from Longford, decided to rent out a spare room last year for the first time.
The 28-year-old owns a property in Drumcondra and she said it was a positive experience for the student and herself.
“I couldn’t recommend it more to anyone who was thinking of getting a student in and didn’t mind sharing the space,” she said.
While financial incentives are an obvious help, tax breaks were not at the centre of her thinking for the secondary school teacher.
“I had the spare room just sitting there so I thought it was worth trying out,” she said.
Louise said she was thrilled to help out a student and this year she has decided to offer a twin room for two students.
“I love being a part of the community and I think for students coming here it is nice to live in a quiet family community.
Family
“For those students who are from the country, it is nice for them to be welcomed into a family home,” she said.
Louise currently lives with her five-year-old daughter Sophie who “got on really well” with the female student.
For this academic year, Louise has converted her garage into a living space which “will give the student that extra bit of privacy”.
“I know that as a student you will prefer your own space so I think that will help,” she said.
She said that typically it was parents who were ringing to enquire about the rental accommodation, which showed their interest in ensuring that their children were housed in a friendly environment.
“I haven’t had a single student ring me, it’s always the parent,” she told the Irish Independent.
The house is a twin room near Drumcondra Village and the €150 per week rent includes breakfast, dinner and all bills.
Students also had their own private living room for study or to relax to help them feel more at home, she said.