Budget
What is your budget? How much can you afford? As a general rule, housing costs plus bills should be approximately 30% of your total income.
Location
What location would you like to live? Is it safe and secure?
Property Type
Decide on what type of property would suit your needs, for instance:
- A house or apartment?
- Furnished or unfurnished?
- Would you like to live on your own or share with other tenants?
- How many bedrooms are required?
- What facilities are required? (e.g. wheelchair access, broadband, etc.)
- Are pets permitted? Do I require a property that allows pets or would you like to live in a property where pets are allowed?
- Do you require a garden or shed?
- Storage facilities
- Is parking or bike storage required?
Average Rent
What is the average rent for the location and property type that you choose? Check this here
Breakdown of Rent
What is included as part of the rent? Are broadband, gas, electricity, TV licence, refuse charges included in the rent?
Amenities
Is the accommodation convenient? What amenities are available, for instance local shops, crèches, schools, parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, pubs?
Deposit Amount
How much deposit is required? Can you afford the deposit? To find out more information on deposits, click here.
Tenancy agreement / Lease
Will you be required to sign a fixed term lease? Will you be jointly and severally liable for the rent and bills of other tenants?
Public Transport
Is public transport required? If so what transport is available? What are the associated costs? How long will it take to get to school/ work? What is the frequency of the transport? Be careful that you are not choosing a property that is cheap on rent but high on transport costs.
Maintenance of garden
Will you be required to maintain a garden and if so what equipment has been provided?
Landlord checks
Check the RTB website for the landlord. You can find out if the landlord has had previous cases with the RTB? Check the database of RTB dispute resolution outcomes here.
Students should also
Know who you’re living with because if they don’t pay their rent, leave unpaid bills or damage the property you could all be held jointly responsible.
Don’t sign a 12 month lease if you’re only staying for the 9 month academic year...you could end up paying the extra or losing your Deposit.