After receiving my admission letter, I was eager to begin my MBA journey. However, as I spoke with more people about job prospects and college life, the issue of the housing crisis in Dublin was frequently brought up. I initially disregarded these warnings as just another urban problem, having lived in cities that had faced similar issues before. Yet, I quickly realized that this crisis was much more severe. Each attempt to search for a place to stay was met with a daunting number of people also seeking accommodation, resulting in intense competition and exorbitant prices. Even locating a shared room was a challenge as most places had waiting lists.
Securing accommodation in Dublin is a challenging process that involves searching for potential properties and reaching out to landlords and real estate agents through various means such as email, calls, and texts. The competition is intense, and potential renters must play a numbers game. Properties listed on Daft.ie can receive over a thousand views within hours, and even with a high number of inquiries, landlords will still interview candidates and select the most suitable one. It was hard to believe until I experienced it myself that despite high rental prices and proof of financial capability, securing a place to rent is not guaranteed.
Arriving in Dublin with only two acquaintances, finding a place to stay proved to be a daunting task, in line with the warnings that it was harder than finding a job. Exhausting every possible avenue, I applied to all available housing websites and used social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, responding to every listing for days. Despite my efforts, finding accommodation was a constant struggle, and it took securing a temporary stay before things began to change. Eventually, I gained more viewings and connections, showing that patience, resilience, and unwavering determination are necessary to navigate Dublin’s housing crisis. Despite the difficulties, staying positive and exploring every possible option is crucial until finding suitable accommodation.
As with all the other listings, I wasted no time calling the landlord from the listing and managed to secure a viewing for the next day. During the viewing, the landlord interviewed me and familiarized me with the house rules. The following day, the landlord called to confirm that he had accepted my application and that one of the rooms was now mine. I was immensely relieved, and I stayed there for a few weeks until the housing market calmed down. Afterward, I found another place to stay with my friends.
Here are some suggestions for a student who is looking for accommodation:
- If you have any friends who are already living in the city or have lived there before, ask them if they know someone who is moving out and you can fill in for them. This can be a great way to get a place to stay without having to go through the tedious process of searching for accommodation.
- Check out UCD Residences, which is UCD’s own accommodation and is highly reliable. However, they get booked out early, so make sure to apply as soon as possible. Other student accommodations are also a good option, but they also get booked out by May or early June, so it’s best to book your place as soon as you get your admission.
- UCD Accommodation Pad is a platform specifically for UCD students. Landlords on this platform have experience renting out their places to UCD students, and you can leverage the UCD goodwill. If you haven’t arrived yet, you can ask a friend to view it on your behalf.
- Facebook groups are also a great way to find decent places to stay. However, there may be odd posts asking for exorbitant rents or scam posts. It’s important to be vigilant and carefully review the post, comments, and the profile of the account before making any commitments.
- If you find a temporary place, you can rent that and use that time to find a permanent one. If need be, you can fly in a couple of weeks early to search for a long-term stay. If you find a long-term stay early and don’t like it much, take up the option of that stay and once the market calms down, you can always move out.
However, there are also some things that you should avoid doing. Never pay any amount to anyone unless you or someone you know in person and have seen the place in person. Scammers are prevalent, and it’s crucial to be cautious.
Finally, do not lose hope. Finding accommodation is difficult, but persistence and asking for help can go a long way in finding a suitable place to stay.
–Anonymous MBA Student