Advice for students

Finding the right place to live is an important part of college life and there are several different options available for students who move away from home including:

• Student on campus accommodation and student specific accommodation near colleges
• Renting a property from a private landlord 
• Renting a room in the owner’s house (often referred to as digs) *

The Union of Students in Ireland has re-launched its website homes.usi.ie, a room rental registration website for students looking for accommodation and for landlords who can lease vacant rooms to students during the college term tax-free up to the value of €14,000 annually through the rent a room relief. Click here for more information.

*It is important to note that in digs this is a licence arrangement and the normal landlord and tenant laws do not apply only what is agreed between the parties.

The latest daft.ie report for Q1 2019 shows an average national rent of €1,304 pm  (which you can view by clicking here) this is due to an extremely high demand for accommodation and, with supply at an all-time low with 3,070 units advertised, it can be hard to source affordable rented accommodation.  Below are some of the average monthly rents in some of the key urban centres.

Cork        €1,266

Dublin     €1,884

Galway    €1,189

Limerick  €1,109

Sligo         €  698

Waterford €  921

Finding accommodation is difficult. You should start looking as soon as possible but more importantly do not rush out and take the first place available. There are several points you should keep in mind before you rent, download our Top Tips for Students document which tells you what you need to know.