With the worries of the Leaving Certificate and CAO offers finally behind most students, the next stage of their journey toward college life will begin with the all-too-often inglamorous search for their new accommodation.
I spoke with Ms Steph Fleming, Welfare Officer at Trinity College Students Union, about the kind of issues most flat hunters will face over the coming weeks.
Like most Universities, Trinity College has an active Students Union, which runs their own accommodation adviser service for students and landlords who wish to advertise their properties.
Ms Fleming's initial advice was: “Don't hand over a single penny until you have seen the property you are going to rent … and try to make sure your landlord is registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board.”
Ms Fleming was also adamant that one should “get receipts for every cent handed over.”
A rent book is also a must when dealing with accommodation – these can be sourced from the Union Of Students In Ireland (USI) for free if you are a student.
Ms Fleming's advice to those new to the accommodation game was to “basically keep your head about you when going to visit accommodation.” A useful tip was to make sure you don't settle for second best just because you are tired of hunting for a place to live. “Put in the leg work and you will find something decent,” said Ms Fleming.
Ms Fleming believes that one shouldn't settle for a closet of an apartment just because freshers week is on the horizon. Keep your nerve, as there's plenty of choice out there.
With respect to availability of accommodation, Ms Fleming said that she thought that there were many more "digs" available this year. This type of accommodation is often ideal for those in their first year of college; however, for others, it's a bit too much like being at home, as you are, in fact, living in someone else's home.
In the current environment Ms Fleming believes that one should be able to negotiate with landlords much more. “The average rent has gone down by eighty euro or more over the last year … you can get a decent single room in Dublin now for 400 euro, where as before you would have been paying about 500 euro.”
Most students coming to Dublin for their first year in College are travelling from outside the capital, said Ms Fleming, so they tend not to know many people at their new university, which means that they will usually go for single accommodation. This may change after their first year when they make new friends with other students.
On who to share with
Ms Fleming's advice on who to share with was that common sense should prevail. Try to get someone with a similar character to yourself, as there is no point in sharing with a party animal if you are the quiet type studying a course with a lot of hours in college. “If you're a neat freak and they are a slob then you will drive each other mental.”
The golden rule is, when in doubt, think to yourself: Could you stick this person's company for a whole year? If you are even slightly suspicious, then go with your instincts and just say no, advised Ms Fleming.
The Lease
When leasing, it is possible to get 9 month leases; however, if the property is very good, it might be worth signing a 12 month lease to hold on to the property during the summer, so you have it again the next year.
Deposits
Deposits generally amount to one months rent. The advice here from Ms Fleming is to make sure you get a receipt and terms with respect to what you need to do in order to get your full deposit back. Take an inventory and make sure it matches the landlords. Inspect the property and note any damage before moving in. Use a digital camera to make sure you have any damage recorded.
In closing, Ms Fleming said that acclimatizing to college life and looking after oneself is “going to be a challenge but an enjoyable one.”
Student accommodation rights
This week, the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) also reminded Students, especially those who are first time renters, that they should log onto their website (www.prtb.ie) and familiarise themselves with their rights – and their responsibilities – before they sign up to a rental agreement or verbally agree to rent properties.
The PRTB said “Renting a property is a business arrangement which must be taken very
seriously. Students are warned to choose flatmates carefully, since in certain circumstances each individual tenant may be held jointly responsible for unpaid rent or damage to property caused by other tenants.”
According to the PRTB, the standard of accommodation which students can expect is higher than ever before. The new standards are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations of 2008, which specify requirements in relation to structural repair, absence of damp, separate bathroom facilities, heating, ventilation, light, and safety of gas and electrical supply. Kitchen facilities must include a four ring hob with grill and oven, a fridge and freezer, microwave and washing machine.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board maintains a register of all private tenancies, and landlords are legally obliged to register the tenancy with the Board, which maintains a public register on its website.
The PRTB also reminds students “that renting is a business arrangement. They should have receipts for all rent payments made and should have an agreed inventory of the contents and condition of premises they propose to rent in case of problems at the end of the arrangement.”
Student accommodation rights
This week, the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) also reminded Students, especially those who are first time renters, that they should log onto their website (www.prtb.ie) and familiarise themselves with their rights – and their responsibilities – before they sign up to a rental agreement or verbally agree to rent properties.
The PRTB said “Renting a property is a business arrangement which must be taken very
seriously. Students are warned to choose flatmates carefully, since in certain circumstances each individual tenant may be held jointly responsible for unpaid rent or damage to property caused by other tenants.”
According to the PRTB, the standard of accommodation which students can expect is higher than ever before. The new standards are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations of 2008, which specify requirements in relation to structural repair, absence of damp, separate bathroom facilities, heating, ventilation, light, and safety of gas and electrical supply. Kitchen facilities must include a four ring hob with grill and oven, a fridge and freezer, microwave and washing machine.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board maintains a register of all private tenancies, and landlords are legally obliged to register the tenancy with the Board, which maintains a public register on its website.
The PRTB also reminds students “that renting is a business arrangement. They should have receipts for all rent payments made and should have an agreed inventory of the contents and condition of premises they propose to rent in case of problems at the end of the arrangement.”
For further information see www.prtb.ie
