Accommodation in Dublin and Ireland: The Complete Guide

Without doubt, the most difficult thing about moving to Ireland, and especially to its capital, is finding accommodation. In recent years prices have risen considerably making Dublin one of the most expensive cities in Europe in terms of accommodation. But with patience, perseverance and our expert advice, you will undoubtedly find what you are looking for! Here are some tips for accommodation in Dublin and the rest of Ireland.

General

There are two types of tenancy agreement in Ireland

• A standard contract signed between the landlord and the tenant for a pre-determined period of time. The contract states the weekly or monthly rent and the period of notice in case of moving out before the end of the contract. In this case, the security deposit and the first rent are to be paid to the landlord in exchange for the keys on moving in.
• In the second case, the landlord does not intervene. The transfer of accommodation takes place between tenants. The tenant who moves out must find a new tenant to occupy the property. The new tenant gives the security deposit to the person moving out. When the new tenant wants to move out, he or she will have to find a replacement if he or she wants to get the security deposit back. This situation, which is a bit on the fringe of the law, is still common in shared accommodation. If one of the housemates leaves without finding a replacement, it is up to the other housemates to find a new person. In this case the deposit is returned to the landlord as payment for the weeks or months without a tenant. To avoid this situation, it is advisable to place an advertisement one month before the departure date.

Documents required to rent accommodation

The landlord will ask you for your ID and PPS number. They may also ask you for a letter from your previous landlord or your current employer.

Amount of the security deposit

This depends on the contract signed with the landlord. The security deposit is often one month’s rent.

How much notice to give

This also depends on the contract. The amount of notice to be given can range from one to three months depending on the rental contract.

Variations in rents

You should be aware that rents in Dublin are higher than in the rest of the country. There is also a wide disparity between neighbourhoods. Housing south of the Liffey (the river that separates North and South Dublin) is more expensive than housing in the north. The south has a reputation for being quieter and less dangerous than the north.

Beware of scams!

First of all, in order to arrive with peace of mind and to give yourself time to go flat hunting, it is advisable for newcomers to book a place in a temporary accommodation: hotel or youth hostel.

Unfortunately, it is very common to see future expatriates being tricked and paying money to unscrupulous people on the internet promising them a nice place to stay as soon as they arrive. It must be said over and over again: Never pay money before visiting an accommodation! Scams of this type are unfortunately common.

Accommodation in Dublin

Dublin is Ireland’s most populous city, with approximately 525,400 inhabitants. But it is above all a city that attracts thousands of foreigners every year who come to work, study, improve their English, or simply get a change of scene in Ireland. So obviously, the main problem they will face is: how to find accommodation in Dublin?

Because it must be said straight away to future arrivals, you will have a hard time finding accommodation: expect to spend long hours looking at classified ads, and numerous visits, often in groups. But to make sure you don’t give up, here are some tips on how to find accommodation in Dublin.

Let’s look at the different short-term accommodation options.

Hostels and other short-term solutions

Guest houses or hostels have two big advantages: flexibility and price. You may not have your own room, but you can meet lots of other travellers, or like-minded people, and get valuable advice about Dublin. Hostels attract a lot of young people who are just visiting Dublin: the atmosphere will certainly be very friendly, but it is not a long-term solution.

Some tips on hostels:

• Abigails Hostel: ideal location, very close to main bus routes. Spacious rooms, lounge to meet other travellers and fully equipped kitchen.Details: 7 – 9 Aston Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland

• Oliver St John Gogarty’s Hostel: Right in the heart of Temple Bar, this hostel is also a popular place to party. Avoid if you are bothered by noise. A very well equipped hostel with en-suite rooms and some with a terrace.
• Generator Hostel: located in the Smithfield area, close to the docks and a tram line to the city centre, very well equipped. Details: Smithfield Square, Dublin 7, Ireland
• Eazy City: An alternative to a hostel if you plan to stay for a few weeks, EazyCity offers shared houses, all fully equipped. You can book in advance, and even ask to be picked up at the airport. This allows you to arrive in Ireland with a room already booked in a flat. Ideal for short term, not a long term solution as the houses can accommodate up to 10 people and there is a lot of movement. Details: http://dublin.eazycity.com/