The search starts now…
With CAO firstround offers now released, the race for accommodation has well and truly begun. We’ve put together some tips to help make the search as stressfree as possible
With CAO first-round offers now released, the race for accommodation has well and truly begun. We’ve put together some tips to help make the search as stress-free as possible
Look further afield
There is no doubt that if you are a student, you will have already begun searching for accommodation within the area of the college you have been offered. It is important to think about the convenience of your living arrangements. However, don’t just stick to accommodation that is directly beside or across the road from the college campus. If you identify the areas with good transport links, you can widen your search. Consider the ways that you could potentially reduce costs and save money to use for paying rent instead. If you are looking at a place which you could easily cycle or walk to college from, you are saving on travel expenses.
Don’t settle for less
Student housing can be occupied quickly, and while it can be tempting to take the first available place you set your sights on, it is important not to rush in and make any decisions you are not 100pc sure about.
“Consider where you are going to be comfortable for the year,” says Síona Cahill, President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), “you want to be able to enjoy your time in college and your time studying. Trying to find accommodation is very stressful, particularly in today’s climate, but you don’t have to do it alone.
“Speak to the Student Union officers in the college where you will be studying in and they would be more than happy to help you. They would have a lot of local area knowledge, and can advise you on exactly where to look and the average prices of your options.”
Work out your priorities
Everybody has different needs when it comes to living spaces. Some people are happy to share a room, while others need their own space. Think about your preferred type of accommodation.
There are many different options to choose from, including private rented houses or apartments. With a private rented house, if you are lucky, you may get the opportunity to rent with an old friend who will also be attending the same college as you. Keep an eye on sites such as daft.ie to see if there are viewings available. When viewing houses, make sure the property is in good condition.
Or, there are on-campus student residences or halls to consider. Residing here means that you’re right on the doorstep of college and, if you came to college alone, there is the opportunity to meet new people that will likely also be in your year.
Another popular, up-and-coming option is specialist student accommodation. Uninest Student Residences, which currently operates three residences in Dublin (Broadstone Hall, Kavanagh Court and New Mill) is due to open two more residences in the capital (Ardcairn House and The Tannery) and launch its first development in Cork (Amnis House) ahead of the 2018/19 academic year.
“Uninest’s parent company GSA have invested heavily in the Irish market over the last few years,” says Lorna Masterson, Operations Manager for Uninest Student Residences, Ireland (unineststudents.ie). “We create communities unlike any other because our facilities and services are entirely tailored to the needs of the modern student. Our first-class shared facilities – including gyms, cinemas, study spaces, outdoor seating areas and communal eating areas – are designed to encourage integration between residents, which is a fundamental part of the university experience.
“We provide hassle-free, safe living with our teams who are on-hand 24/7, be it for general assistance at reception, security, housekeeping or on-site maintenance, allowing students to focus on their studies and settle in.”
Open days in Ardcairn House, The Tannery and New Mill are until 31st August, between 10am and 5pm.
“These open days offer the chance for parents and students to pop in and view our rooms and facilities for themselves,” says Lorna. “There is no need to book an appointment and for those unable to physically visit our fantastic residences, we also offer a Skype viewing service.”
Can you dig it?
“If you are nervous about leaving home for the first time or need an alternative to the other accommodation options, consider lodgings or digs,” says Síona Cahill, President at USI. “This is where you rent a room in a family house which could be a good idea for the first year.”
Union of Students in Ireland run a website (homes.usi.ie), which aims to match students seeking digs-style accommodation with people who are in a position to provide it. Or, consider the people you already know. Do you have an aunt or other family member living in the area where you will be attending college, and would they be willing to host you for your first year? Discuss various living arrangements, such as offering to help up with cleaning or babysitting as an additional payment system or agreeing that you will go back home on Fridays, to give the family their house to themselves at weekends.
Of course, there is the downside that you won’t be living with college friends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit them and hang out in their places during the week.
Look at the small details
Make sure you know exactly what is being offered to you before signing a lease or contract for private rented accommodation. When it comes to rent, Janette Fogarty, Assistant Director for Dispute Resolution Services at the Private Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) says there are some questions to ask before entering into an agreement to rent a property:
“Find out exactly what is included in the rent – and what is excluded – as well as who pays for the heating, electricity, bin charges, internet connection and cable TV? Are there any extras which must be budgeted for?
“It is also important to know who you are living with. If the people you live with don’t pay their rent, leave unpaid bills or damage the property, you could all be held jointly responsible. Beware of signing a 12-month lease if you’re only staying for the nine-month academic year, as you could end up paying the extra three months or losing your deposit.
Janette advises reading through the lease/ rental/tenancy agreement very carefully before signing and getting to know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant on their website, onestopshop.rtb.ie.
“Check the RTB Average Rent Dataset on www.cso.ie to find out the average rent in a specific area,” says Janette, “and be aware of new laws such as Rent Pressure Zones and new landlord obligations. In Rent Pressure Zones, rents will only be able to rise according to a prescribed formula by a maximum of 4pc annually.
However, this has no impact on the prices in purpose-built accommodation and if you are staying in specialist student accommodation, the payment method differs.
Lorna Masterson, Uninest Student Residences, Ireland, says, “Our ‘all-inclusive’ rates cover all utilities as well as the use of various amenities including gyms, study rooms, cinema rooms, social and recreational spaces. Students won’t have to wait for broadband connections either – it’s ready and waiting from the moment they walk through the door. This pricing model is used to take the hassle out of accommodation, as when students move to university they have a lot on their plate; settling into a new city, keeping up with their studies and making new friends.”
Don’t panic
It does take time before you come across the perfect place for you to stay, but it is important to not get disheartened or give up hope if things are not necessarily going to plan. If you have any friends or family living near the location of the college you want to go to, ask them what they know, you never know what tips they might come out with. Another wise thing to do is to speak to students you know that are in the year ahead of you for their advice, because they have been in the exact same position as you are in now. And, do make use of the professionals who will help, such as the Student Union and residence teams.
Lorna Masterson adds, “Be as proactive as you can. Approach student residences directly to discuss options available and get on their mailing lists. The more options you have the better, so making enquiries early will pay dividends.”