Key Points
Students should allow several weeks before the start of term to research their requirements and find suitable accommodation within their budget.
Students wanting to rent have a number of different options. One is renting a private room or apartment in an existing shared student property, while another is renting a house or flat with friends.
Lodging with a local family is a third possibility - and usually the least expensive option for young people living away from home. Meals with the family may or may not be included in the basic rent (this should be checked in advance).
Please note that a limited amount of on-campus accommodation is also offered by some colleges.
Sharing a House
For the majority of young people on a budget, living away from home for the first time means sharing accommodation.
Students should think about living with people that are known to be respectful of others and their preferences.
Comfort, Safety, Security
Students should consider each potential accommodation they visit in the light of it being home for 10 months.
All accommodation offered for rent must meet minimum standards of safety and suitability determined by legislation. This includes proper lighting and ventilation, decent facilities for heating and cooking, and adequate facilities for the storage and preparation of food.
When considering rented accommodation, it is important for students to carefully review these items to make sure they are present at the outset. Prospective tenants should also include efficient central heating and insulation in a checklist of requirements for comfort.
Prospective tenants should hold off from signing a tenancy agreement until obvious deficiencies in an accommodation have been rectified.
After deciding on a suitable accommodation, tenants should photograph each area of their apartment or shared house. Should a dispute arise later - over the repayment of a deposit, for example - photos will help the tenant back up their claims.
In most designated student developments, cooking facilities are shared between multiple apartments. Would-be tenants are advised to give thought to their requirements over the longer term.
Security and safety are vital considerations. Prospective tenants should ensure that windows and doors close properly and are - without exception -Â lockable. Insurance policies are unlikely to cover rented accommodation that does not meet minimum standards of security.
Students may wish to take out personal contents insurance if they are not covered by their parents' household policy.
Prospective tenants should expect to find smoke detectors installed and in working order.
Places to look for accommodation:
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Local newspapers
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Websites such as www.daft.ie or www.myhome.ie
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Student - Housing Co-operative (Northern Ireland)
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Threshold - Housing information & advice service
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Students may also contact their college students' union directly for information on local housing options.
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The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) provides information about tenants' legal rights and obligations in private rented accommodation. Click here for more information.
Please see the USI Rent Book for a comprehensive guide on your rights as a tenant in Ireland. Click here to download a digital copy of the Rent Book.
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