IT has taken an enterprising Co Limerick woman to identify and set about harnessing a business opportunity in an obvious problem arising from Waterford city's thriving development.
In the last few years, the south-east's premier city has experienced an unprecedented rush of investment property development and an influx of new people. But the two phenomena were not formally dovetailed and it has been difficult to find rented accommodation.
With only weekly papers in which to advertise locally, and auctioneers mainly concerned with property sales, it was a tortuous business for landlords and prospective tenants to make the contacts that would match each other's specific requirements.
A month ago Regina Mangan set up her company, Book-a-Room, the first of its kind in Waterford specialising in accommodation rental and property management.
It was a timely move for Ms Mangan, who has been in the hotel management business for seven years. In the next couple of months some 250 civil servants, many with families, will be moving to the city due to the decentralisation of the Land Registry and the Department of Social Welfare.
The former RTC, now Waterford Institute of Technology, is growing apace, up to 1,000 new students joining it in the past year. And the property development and business boom has brought hundreds of tradesmen and commercial and service personnel into the city.
The new accommodation company provides a referral and introductory service for both landlords and tenants. "I personally view all the accommodation," said Ms Mangan. "I meet all the landlords and I meet all the potential tenants. We try to match them, as such."
Many people from Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny have been buying property because of the tax incentive schemes on investment in the city. "It's often not feasible for them to do property management - to collect the rent and so on - so they need a reputable company to do it.".
Her company offers such investors the option of delegating practical aspects of managing their investment, as well as a general advertising service.
Ms Mangan moved to Waterford 2 1/2 years ago to manage the first "hotel alternative" scheme in the city, the waterfront Adelphi Wharf Suites offering fully-fitted short-term apartment accommodation.
"That's really where I got the idea. I was inundated with inquiries, and I just saw a big opening for somebody who would specialise in that line of business."
She rented a city-centre office and began assembling listings.
At present there is a big demand for one-bedroom apartments because the concentration of development has been on building two-bedroom accommodation. Now some developers are switching their efforts to meet that demand.
Book-a-Room is contactable on 051-858182.