Whether this is your first time moving away from home or you have rented accommodation before, finding the right place to live is crucial to a happy and successful university experience. To help make this move easier for you, we are here to offer support and advice on making the right choice.
The accommodation shortage in Ireland impacts almost every part of society. After the challenges our young people have faced since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we want to help our third-level students in every way we can.
Universities and colleges are an asset to the towns, cities and regions. They are the heartbeat to a local economy, offering pipelines of skills, talent and ingenuity; all too often the contribution they make to their surrounding community can go unnoticed. Says John Hannon, director of Student Services at NUI Galway: “Students are our future leaders – our future teachers, doctors, coders...the people who sustain a region like Galway and make its future sustainable.
“It never ceases to amaze me that more than a thousand students each year are honoured with an award for volunteering to help our communities,” Hannon adds. “They bring children to the Teddy Bear Hospital on campus, they engage in school visits, they help the Galway International Arts Festival and they raise hundreds of thousands of euros in their societies for charities every year.
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“They ensure our city is one of Ireland’s most multicultural and vibrant regions; they bring fun, energy and life to the city and its environs, ensuring the success of our festivals, music, culture, sport and language.”
There are a variety of accommodation options to choose from and we advise you to consider all of them before making your choice. Options include student residences; community accommodation (lodgings); self-catering accommodation; shared houses; and shared flats.
Finding student accommodation is the most important thing you will need to plan for while at university and you need to consider the location, living space and your budget. With housing in high demand in Galway city, it is important that NUI Galway students and their parents/guardians are informed of the options available to them. To make things a little easier, we have put together our top tips for choosing your home for the next academic year.
· Visit Studentpad. The search portal at nuigstudentpad.ie is the most secure way to search for private student accommodation in Galway. All properties advertised go through a registration process and are regularly updated. Click here to start your search, or visit the NUI Galway website for more information. You can also search through other websites, though caution is urged. Do not part with any money until you have seen the property in person.
· Get informed on your options. While your first preference might be the city centre, Galway’s various residential areas have a lot to offer. You can learn more about accommodation options throughout the city and its surrounding areas here.
Studio apartments are uncommon in Galway. Most rental properties are houses with 3-5 bedrooms, and larger houses generally offer cheaper rooms
Accommodation comes in different forms. Studio apartments are uncommon in Galway. Most rental properties are houses with 3-5 bedrooms, and larger houses generally offer cheaper rooms. So, many students choose to house-share. There is also the option of digs/community accommodation, where a student pays a homeowner for accommodation offered on a full-time or five-day basis. Living arrangements are agreed upon with the homeowner.
· Search smart. Don’t get caught by rental fraud – always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented, bring a friend and remember to keep copies of receipts and correspondence. Make sure there is a rental agreement that you understand and have read in full. Ensure that keys fit and a rental contract signed prior to paying deposit. Stay informed of your tenancy rights.
Get a receipt for the deposit paid and rent in advance. Damage or loss of property is a regular reason for losing a deposit. Make a list of furniture and appliances with the landlord. If there are any outstanding repairs, ask the landlord to state in writing that they will be repaired – take photos if necessary. You can learn more about tenancy safety from the Residential Tenancies Board, An Garda Síochána and Threshold.ie, and learn more about your rights here.
· What is your budget? Working out how much you can afford to spend on accommodation each month is very important. You need to consider your expenses, including travel, bills and food. Here is a useful link to an overview of the cost of living in Galway.
· What is included in the rent? When working out your budget, make sure you understand what’s included in the rent. Most accommodation offers all-inclusive packages so you don’t need to worry about utility bills and wifi. You should always check whether bills are included in the rent so you can factor it into your budget.
· Start as soon as possible
Given the shortage of accommodation throughout Ireland, it’s wise to start refining your choices now. If you are travelling to Galway from abroad, you can book short-term accommodation for your arrival, then view properties before committing to a deposit. We recommend scheduling viewings and arriving in Galway before term time, if possible, to ensure that you have accommodation confirmed in good time.
As you know, some CAO places have already been offered, while two more rounds of offers are yet to be issued to school-leaving applicants. Key dates to keep an eye on are: Thursday, September 8th at 2pm | Round One offers; and Monday, September 19th at 10am | Round Two offers.
Galway homeowners – room to spare?
Would you like to earn up to up to €14,000 tax free? Sign up for the rent-a-room scheme now and advertise your space to 19,000+ students for free.
We know that recent inflation in energy costs has been challenging for homeowners. The Rent-a-Room scheme offers a way to earn extra income while helping a student find their feet in Galway. Find out more today by visiting NUI Galway Rent-a-Room. It is advisable that homeowners create a lease/rental agreement that sets out the expectations and obligations of both homeowner and tenant.
What have other homeowners said?
“Sarah was a delight! It was great to have some company while she was finishing her PhD.” (Claire, Maunsells Road, homeowner)
“It was lovely to help Kumar find his feet in the city and to see him thrive.” (Declan, Newcastle, homeowner)