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Students searching for accommodation facing "outrageous" rents

There is a warning that some students may miss out on a college place due to the rental cris...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.47 22 Aug 2017


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Students searching for accommo...

Students searching for accommodation facing "outrageous" rents

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.47 22 Aug 2017


Share this article


There is a warning that some students may miss out on a college place due to the rental crisis.

The latest Daft report released today shows rents continuing to soar across the country.

The high cost & low supply of accommodation is being highlighted as a problem that will particularly impact students - many of whom will now be looking for a room after receiving their CAO offers.

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UCD Students Union (UCDSU) has been using Snapchat to expose some of the properties being made available for rent – including a three bedroom house in Drumcondra that was being advertised as suitable for 15 people.

UCDSU has been posting the videos and images of their 'house hunting' efforts across social media:

Barry Murphy from UCDSU says the shortage and cost of accommodation is impacting students’ plans.

He explained: "When you have students over the next few weeks who are scrambling to get accommodation, [some may] unfortunately defer their place for a year.

"Maybe because they don't have the money to pay the outrageous rent, or their parents don't have the money, or they're not able to get a loan. They also may not be able to find somewhere in the first place."

He suggested that some students are forced to commute 'halfway across the country' every day simply to attend classes.

One short-term solution may be in the form of digs - a room rented out in an occupied house with a spare room.

Homeowners who rent out a room are being reminded they can earn up to €14,000 a year tax free.

Barry urged homeowners to not stereotype students, insisting that students lucky enough to get a bed in digs are "not going to jeopardise that bed".

Students searching for accommodation facing "outrageous" rents

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