Rents being paid for student accommodation across Ireland have increased to €469 per month according to the Eurostudent report, published by the Higher Education Authority.
The average rent has increased by €54 per month from €415, making paying for accommodation the single biggest regular source of expenditure for students. Students facing financial hardships has increased to 33% in 2023 up from 26% in 2019.
As we approach the start of the new school term, students will be seeking to arrange suitable accommodation, but OFTEC, the trade organisation for the heating industry in Ireland, is urging them not to make price the only factor in their decision.
OFTEC has issued the following advice for students when selecting accommodation.
- Be smart with your smartphone – Students should take along their smartphones to take pictures of a potential property, this will allow you to review the property further and raise any problems with the landlord before beginning the tenancy.
- Look for damp – It is possible to hide damp patches with a few coats of paint, but if your house smells musty or you see evidence of mould, find out how the landlord is planning to fix the problem in the long term as mould has several health risks including respiratory problems and headaches.
- Check electrics and other appliances – Check appliances such as the cooker, ensure it is working as it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure appliances are safe when the tenancy begins and are in proper working order throughout the tenancy.
- Sound the Alarm – Ensure with your landlord that they have both fire and carbon monoxide alarms securely fitted and tested before signing the contract, as well as working fire extinguishers.
- Heating requirements – You may not notice it in the warm weather, but you don’t want a broken boiler in the winter months. Ask your landlord if the boilers have been serviced at least once a year, boilers that are well maintained will save you money in the long run by being more energy efficient. Tenants looking at an oil-fired property should ask for a certificate – an OFTEC CD/12 Landlord Oil Installation Check which is carried out by an OFTEC registered technician will give you peace of mind. If the property has a gas boiler it must be checked by a registered gas installer.
- Burglar Alert! – Students and student areas are unfortunately vulnerable to burglars and break ins. To avoid this, ensure that your landlord has securely fitted your potential home, this could be done by asking for key operated window locks and working, secure locks on external and internal doors.
OFTEC Ireland Manager, David Blevings said students should not feel pressured into taking unsuitable accommodation.
He said: “We recognise price is a key factor when selecting accommodation and with rising rents, it can be incredibly challenging to find a suitable place to live during your time at university. “But at OFTEC, we believe safety should be the number one factor when considering student accommodation. “It might feel awkward having the conversation with your landlord but if you discover any issues, you should insist on them being resolved before you sign a contract.”
For more information visit https://www.oftec.org/