Accommodation - A guide for international students

What are my accomodation options?

You will have a range of options to choose from, with varying costs attached. Student accomodation in Ireland falls into four broad types:

1. On-campus accommodation: Campus accommodation is always in demand, can be relatively expensive and quite difficult to find. All universities have halls of residence, generally as apartments of 4 to 8 students, with a private bedroom and shared kitchen, living room and bathroom. On campus accommodation must normally be paid in 2 installments, in September and in February. In most campus accommodation, it is not possible to pay your rent on a monthly basis. You will usually have to pay a deposit of one month’s rent in advance, refunded when you leave. Utilities such as heating are usually extra, although several halls of residence include heat and electricity in their initial charge and deduct payment for usage in excess of the average allowed for from the deposit when you leave. It is important to check arrangements with your college.
2. Long-term student hostel: This is another option with quite limited availability, but which can be quite flexible. You stay in a hostel with other students and your monthly rent provides for use of a communal living area and kitchen, along with a bedroom. Breakfast and sometimes dinner will be included in the rent, as are utility bills.
3. Accommodation with a family: You can live as a paying guest in an Irish home, where you have your own room with space to study, but otherwise share the house with the family. This is a popular option with students attending English Language Schools, especially for short courses, but is also an arrangement that works well for many further and higher education students. In Ireland, accomodation with a family is commonly known as living in “digs”. Normally, morning and evening meals will be provided but you will need to buy your own midday meal on campus or elsewhere. There are no extra charges for heat, light etc., and some of your laundry will be done.

4. Private rented accommodation: The options here include renting a bed-sit, a flat/apartment or sharing a house. It is usually cheaper to share accommodation with others.

   A bed-sit is a essentially a single room unit with basic cooking facilities (a mini-kitchen area), a bed and some additional furniture. Toilet and bathroom facilities are generally shared with the other occupants of the building through there may be a self-contained shower.

   A flat or apartment will offer a kitchen and living room (possibly combined), a bathroom and one or more bedrooms. Again, quality and cost varies. A compact one bedroom unit may cost little more than a bed-sit, while a three bedroom flat/apartment will cost substantially more.

   A house or apartment share with other people can be the cheapest, as bills are divided among more people. Sharing a room can reduce costs even further.

   In all cases, rents are usually payable monthly and in advance. At the beginning of a letting period you pay a deposit of one month's rent, which will be refunded when you leave (provided you have not caused any damage to the premises). The normal length of a lease is 9 or 12 months, and it can be difficult to find anything shorter. If you break a lease without notice or if you do not adhere to the terms of the lease, you will lose your deposit. Notice of one month should be given before you leave the premises.

Where can I get assistance to find accommodation?

Accommodation Officer: If your accommodation has not been pre-booked for you, the Accommodation Officer at your university or college is the person who can advise you about the accommodation that best fits your needs and your budget. At the accommodation office you will be able to look through lists of suitable places, then choose which to go and see. The choice is always better if you arrive well in advance of the start of your course. Allow as much time as possible to organise accommodation. You might consider booking a period in a hostel to have a base from which to start your search.

Internet: There are also websites that you can access to find apartments and house shares. The leading rentals website in Ireland is www.daft.ie

What factors should I consider before I choose my accomodation?

When considering accomodation off campus, you should try to find out how good the transport links will be to get to your classes and how much time you will need to commit to travelling. Also, be sure to budget for the additional costs, apart from rent, that you will face with each type of accomodation.

Living with a family may offer the lowest rent and include utility costs and some meals but you will need to budget for buying additional meals.

Setting yourself up in privately rented accommodation can be quite expensive and involve a number of up-front costs:

• Deposits and connection charges for electricity and/or gas may have to be paid. There is also the option of setting up a direct debit from your bank account, from which the bill total will automatically be deducted each month. The deposit cost varies from EUR 150 upwards and is refundable, or offset against your bill.
• You may have to supply your own bedding and maybe a few kitchen items, allow about EUR 150.
• A TV licence costs EUR 160 a year for a colour television and is a legal requirement for any household with a TV equipment.
• Cost of heat and light: EUR 40 - EUR140 a month, depending on the type of accommodation, the number of people sharing and the amount consumed.

If you are moving into an already occupied house, some of these costs will have been met and you may not have to pay out such a large sum.

How is rent usually paid?

You will need to agree a payment method with your landlord.

He/she may want you set up a monthly Standing Order with your bank. This means that the rent will be paid from your bank account directly into the property owner's bank account each time it is due. You will need the owner to provide you with the name of his/her bank and account number and go to your bank to set up payment by Standing Order. This can be done at the branch in which your account has been set up, or by telephone banking, if your bank offers this service.

Alternatively, he or she may want to receive a cheque or collect the rent from you in cash. You should always make sure you obtain a receipt or an entry in your rent book if you pay in cash.

Is it possible to get insurance for my belongings when I am in rented accommodation?

Insurance for student possessions is quite limited. The following company provides cover: Cover 4 Students

Where can I find more / get advice about my legal rights as a tenant?

Your students' union or college accomodation office may be able to assist and, in addition, Threshold is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free and confidential information, advice and support to people with housing problems - by phone, email and by appointment.

Last updated: October 2011