The Honest Truth About Finding Student Housing in Ireland
Finding somewhere to live for college in Ireland right now? Yeah, it’s rough.
Last year, my cousin spent August messaging 50+ landlords on Daft.ie. Got three replies. Viewed one apartment that looked nothing like the photos. Eventually found a room through a friend of a friend—the way most students actually find places these days.
With 200,000+ students fighting over roughly 40,000 purpose-built beds, this isn’t just competitive. It’s genuinely stressful. Add in the regular housing crisis, Airbnb eating up rentals, and international students with cash deposits ready—you’re basically playing musical chairs where someone keeps removing the chairs.
But you can still find decent accommodation if you start early, know what you’re doing, and have realistic expectations about price and location.
This guide covers actual current prices (not outdated 2022 numbers), real scam warnings from students who got burned, and the strategies that actually work.
What Student Accommodation Actually Costs (2026 Prices)
Forget vague estimates. Here’s what you’ll really pay.
Dublin Accommodation Costs
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA):
- En-suite room: €1,120-€1,600/month
- Studio: €1,400-€2,000/month
- Shared apartment: €1,000-€1,400/month per person
Private Rentals:
- Single room (shared house): €600-€900/month
- Shared bedroom: €450-€650/month per bed
- One-bed apartment: €1,400-€2,000/month
- Studio: €1,200-€1,700/month
Digs (with meals):
- Full board: €720-€1,000/month
- Part board: €600-€800/month
Dublin Areas by Price:
- North Side (D1/7/9): €600-€800/month – rougher areas, cheaper rent
- City Centre (D2/4): €900-€1,200/month – convenient but pricey
- South Side (D6/8): €700-€950/month – nice but expensive
- Suburbs (D15/11): €550-€750/month – need reliable bus access
Cork Accommodation Costs
PBSA:
- En-suite: €800-€1,200/month
- Studio: €1,120-€1,520/month
- Shared: €720-€1,040/month
Private Rentals:
- Room in house: €450-€700/month
- Shared bedroom: €350-€500/month
- One-bed: €1,000-€1,400/month
Digs: €600-€880/month (full board)
Cork Areas:
- Wilton/Bishopstown (near UCC): €450-€650
- City Centre: €500-€750
- Douglas/Rochestown: €400-€600
- Mayfield (budget): €400-€550
Galway Accommodation Costs
PBSA:
- En-suite: €760-€1,120/month
- Studio: €1,040-€1,400/month
- Shared: €680-€960/month
Private Rentals:
- Room: €450-€650/month
- One-bed: €1,000-€1,350/month
Digs: €580-€800/month (full board)
Galway Areas:
- Salthill (near ATU): €450-€650
- Newcastle/Dangan (near NUIG): €400-€600
- City Centre: €550-€750
- Knocknacarra: €400-€580
Limerick, Waterford, Maynooth
Limerick:
- PBSA: €640-€960/month
- Private rooms: €380-€550/month
- Castletroy (near UL): €400-€550
Waterford:
- PBSA: €560-€840/month
- Private rooms: €350-€500/month
- Cork Road (near SETU): €350-€480
Maynooth:
- PBSA: €680-€1,000/month
- Private rooms: €450-€650/month
Hidden Costs Everyone Forgets:
When comparing prices, remember private rentals DON’T include:
- Electricity: €40-€80/month (winter is brutal)
- Gas/heating: €30-€70/month
- Internet: €40-€60/month split between housemates
- Bins: €15-€30/month per house
- TV license: €160/year per house
So that €700 room actually costs €800-€900 in winter.
Your Accommodation Options Explained
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
The Big Providers:
- Uninest (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick)
- Yugo (Dublin, Cork)
- Student Roost (Dublin, Galway)
- Aparto (Dublin)
- Binary Hub (Dublin)
What You Get: Room with desk, bed, wardrobe. En-suite bathroom. Shared kitchen. All bills included. Security. Study spaces. Social events. Basically a slightly nicer dorm.
The Good: No surprise bills. No dodgy landlords. Meet loads of students. Safe. Close to campus usually.
The Bad: Expensive. Strict rules. Often locked into 44-51 week contracts (you pay for summer). Shared kitchens get disgusting. Can feel like living in a hotel.
Who It’s For: First years wanting security. International students. Anyone who can afford it and wants hassle-free living.
Booking Opens: January-February Peak Time: March-May (book early or miss out) Desperate Time: June onwards (scraps left)
Private Rentals
What It Is: Renting a room in a house or apartment with other students, dealing with private landlords.
The Good: Usually cheaper than PBSA. More independence. Choose your area. Full kitchen. Can find 9-month leases (September-May).
The Bad: Bills on top of rent. Dodgy landlords. Slow repairs. Competitive viewings. Need deposit upfront. Housemate lottery.
Real Talk: This is how most students live. You’ll spend hours on Daft.ie, message 20 landlords, get 2 replies, view 1 place, and either take it or keep searching. That’s just how it works now.
Total Real Cost: Add €150-€250/month to advertised rent for bills.
Digs (Living with Families)
What It Is: Rent a room in someone’s house. Usually includes meals.
Types:
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner): Most common
- Half board (breakfast, dinner): Standard
- B&B (just breakfast): Rare
- Self-catering (room only): Defeats the point
The Good: All-inclusive price. No bills. Meals cooked. Safe. Often cheaper overall. Someone to help if you’re struggling.
The Bad: Less freedom. House rules. Curfews sometimes. Further from campus usually. Can feel isolating from student life. Limited control over food.
Who It’s For: First years adjusting to college. International students. Tight budgets. People who hate cooking.
Find Them: Digs.ie, college accommodation offices
On-Campus Accommodation
Availability:
- Trinity: ~1,800 rooms
- UCD: ~3,000 rooms
- UL: ~2,800 rooms (biggest in Ireland)
- NUIG: ~1,000 rooms
- UCC: ~500 rooms
- DCU: ~1,200 rooms
The Reality: First years get priority. Everyone else? Good luck. Applications open March-April, offers June-July. By the time you’re reading this, probably too late for this year.
Costs: €145-€300/week depending on college and room type.
Worth It? If you can get it, yes. Can’t beat rolling out of bed to lectures.
When to Start Looking (Timeline That Actually Works)
January-March: Early Birds Win
If you’re looking now, you’re golden. PBSA has full availability. Private rentals aren’t competitive yet. On-campus applications opening.
Do This:
- Register on Daft.ie, Rent.ie, MyHome.ie
- Join Facebook groups (search “[city name] student accommodation 2026”)
- Look at PBSA websites
- Apply for on-campus housing when it opens
- Set up Daft.ie email alerts for your budget/area
April-June: Get Serious
PBSA filling up. Private rentals getting competitive. Need to actively view places.
Do This:
- Check websites twice daily minimum
- Book PBSA if you want guaranteed accommodation
- Start viewing private rentals
- Have deposit money ready (one month’s rent typically)
- Respond to listings within 1-2 hours max
July-August: Panic Mode
Leaving Cert results out. 60,000 teenagers flooding the market. Everything goes fast.
Reality Check: You’re competing with people who’ll view a place, decide on the spot, and pay deposit in cash that day. Hesitate and it’s gone.
Do This:
- Check Daft multiple times daily
- Be flexible on location and price
- Consider digs seriously
- Bring deposit money to viewings
- Make decisions quickly
- Have backup plans
September: Last Resort
Very few options. Often temporary solutions while you keep looking.
Options:
- PBSA late cancellations
- Semester-only accommodation
- Temporary Airbnb
- Commute from home temporarily
- Check with accommodation office for emergency options
Where to Actually Search
Main Websites (Check Daily)
Daft.ie – Biggest site, most listings
- Set up alerts
- Check 2-3 times daily
- Use map search for areas near campus
- Filter by “suitable for students”
Rent.ie – Fewer listings but less competition
- Sometimes hidden gems
- Worth checking
MyHome.ie – Higher-end stuff usually
- More expensive but better quality sometimes
Facebook Groups (Join NOW)
Search and join:
- “[Your City] Student Accommodation”
- “[Your College] Accommodation 2026”
- “Rooms to Rent [City]”
- “[College] Roommate Finder”
Turn on notifications. Reply within minutes. Have a message ready:
“Hi, I’m a [year] [course] student looking for accommodation from September. Non-smoker, quiet, reliable rent payment. Can view anytime. Contact: [phone]”
College Resources
Every college has an accommodation office. They maintain lists of approved landlords and digs. Use them.
Contact them:
- Trinity: accommodation@tcd.ie
- UCD: accommodation@ucd.ie
- UCC: accommodation@ucc.ie
- NUIG: accommodation@universityofgalway.ie
- UL: accommodation@ul.ie
- DCU: accommodation@dcu.ie
PBSA Direct Booking
Book directly through:
- uninest.com
- yugo.com
- studentroost.com
- aparto.com
- binary.ie
Don’t use third-party booking sites charging extra fees.
Digs Specific
Digs.ie – Main digs website, safest option, properties verified
Scams That Will Burn You (Learn From Others’ Mistakes)
The “Pay Before Viewing” Scam
Someone posts an amazing apartment. Great photos, good price. Says they’re abroad, can’t show it, send deposit to hold it.
Red Flags:
- Won’t allow viewing
- Claims to be out of country
- Wants Western Union/MoneyGram/crypto
- Only uses WhatsApp
- Pressure to pay fast
Reality: Photos stolen from real listings. Person doesn’t own property. Your money’s gone.
Rule: NEVER pay anything without viewing in person.
The “Too Cheap” Scam
Luxury apartment, half the normal price. Some excuse about urgent rental.
Reality: If it’s 30%+ cheaper than everything else, it’s fake.
Rule: Know normal prices. Compare listings. Trust your gut.
The Fake Landlord
Someone shows you a real property they don’t own, takes your deposit, disappears.
Red Flags:
- Can’t prove they own it
- Meets you outside, seems unfamiliar with property
- Pushes for cash
- No written agreement
Protection:
- Ask for proof of ownership
- Request formal rental agreement
- Get receipts
- Verify identity
The Bait and Switch
Photos show one nice place. Viewing is a different, worse property.
Response: Walk away. Report the listing.
Verification Checklist
Before paying anything:
✓ Viewed property in person ✓ Met landlord face-to-face (brought a friend) ✓ Checked property on Google Maps street view ✓ Landlord provided ID and proof of ownership ✓ Written rental agreement provided ✓ Property address matches Eircode ✓ Payment by bank transfer with clear reference ✓ Receipt provided
What Your Rental Rights Actually Are
RTB (Residential Tenancies Board)
Your landlord MUST register your tenancy with the RTB within one month. If they don’t, that’s illegal.
Check your registration: rtb.ie
Written Lease
You’re entitled to a written rental agreement stating:
- Rent amount
- Payment schedule
- Deposit amount
- Notice periods
- Property condition
- Who’s responsible for repairs
No written agreement? Red flag for dodgy landlord.
Deposits
Rules:
- Maximum one month’s rent
- Must be registered with RTB
- Returned within one month of leaving (minus legitimate damages)
- Get a condition report when moving in
Reality: Take photos of EVERYTHING when you move in. Document existing damage. Landlords will try to keep deposits for normal wear and tear.
Maintenance and Repairs
Landlord must maintain the property in good repair. This includes:
- Structural issues
- Plumbing and heating
- Electrical safety
- Damp and mold
- Appliances provided
Problem landlord? Document everything. Report to RTB. Know your rights.
Notice Periods
Landlord ending tenancy:
- Less than 6 months: 28 days notice
- 6 months-1 year: 35 days
- 1-2 years: 42 days
- Over 2 years: More (up to 224 days for 8+ years)
You ending tenancy: Usually 28-35 days notice in your agreement.
Overcrowding Rules
Maximum occupancy:
- 2 people per bedroom
- Living room can’t be a bedroom unless purpose-built
- Kitchen can’t be a bedroom
See houses with “5 bedrooms” that are clearly 3 bedroom houses with converted living rooms/kitchens? That’s illegal.
Budgeting Reality Check
Real Monthly Costs
PBSA Student:
- Rent (all-inclusive): €1,200
- Food: €250
- Transport: €0-50
- Social: €150
- Total: €1,600-€1,650
Private Rental Student (Dublin):
- Rent: €750
- Bills: €100-150
- Food: €250
- Transport: €50-100
- Social: €150
- Total: €1,300-€1,400
Digs Student:
- Digs (full board): €800
- Transport: €50-100
- Social: €150
- Other: €100
- Total: €1,100-€1,150
SUSI Grant Coverage
Standard SUSI rates (2025/2026):
- Adjacent rate: €3,025/year (~€335/month over 9 months)
- Non-adjacent rate: €6,270/year (~€697/month over 9 months)
- Top rate (income dependent): Up to €8,085/year (~€898/month)
Reality: Even maximum SUSI barely covers Dublin rent. You’ll need:
- Part-time job
- Family support
- Savings
- Or cheaper accommodation
Part-Time Work
Most students work 10-20 hours/week:
- €12.70/hour minimum wage (2025)
- 15 hours = €190/week = €760/month
Common jobs:
- Retail (Penneys, Dunnes, SuperValu)
- Hospitality (bars, restaurants)
- Campus jobs (library, student center)
- Tutoring (€20-30/hour if you’re good)
Quick Decision Framework
When you find a place, evaluate fast:
The Non-Negotiables:
- Safe area (check crime stats)
- Working locks on doors/windows
- Heating works
- Hot water works
- No obvious mold/damp
- Smoke alarms present
- Within your budget including bills
The Nice-to-Haves:
- Close to campus
- Nice housemates
- Good landlord reviews
- Modern appliances
- Good storage
- Natural light
The Deal-Breakers:
- Landlord won’t register with RTB
- No written agreement
- Obvious illegal overcrowding
- Serious safety issues
- Landlord seems dodgy
- Too far outside budget
Decision Time: If it meets non-negotiables and no deal-breakers, you probably need to take it. Good places don’t wait.
Last-Ditch Options If You’re Stuck
Temporary Solutions
Airbnb/Short-term lets: Expensive but buys you time to keep searching. Budget €400-700/week.
Youth hostels: Some allow longer stays. €25-40/night. Not ideal but beats homelessness.
Commuting: If you live within commutable distance, stay home while searching. Sucks but it’s an option.
College Support
Contact your accommodation office ASAP if you’re struggling. They sometimes have:
- Emergency accommodation lists
- Late cancellations
- Semester-only options
- Advice on areas to try
Deferral
Absolute last resort: defer your college place for a year. Not ideal but better than:
- Homelessness
- Accepting unsafe accommodation
- Commuting 4 hours daily
- Destroying your mental health
Real Student Advice (What Actually Helped)
Emma, UCD 3rd year: “I found my place through the college accommodation Facebook group. Posted what I was looking for, budget, when I needed it. Girl messaged me, her housemate was leaving. Viewed it that week, moved in September. Facebook groups are genuinely better than Daft now.”
Jack, Trinity 2nd year: “Started looking in July. Big mistake. Everything gone or insanely expensive. Ended up in digs for first term, kept looking, found private rental for January. Start in March if you want actual choice.”
Aoife, UCC 1st year: “PBSA saved me. Yeah, it’s expensive, but I’m international, didn’t know Cork, wanted security. Worth the extra money for first year. Moving to private rental next year now I know the city.”
Conor, UL 4th year: “Lived in three different places. Best advice: view with a friend, take photos of everything, read your lease, don’t pay cash. One landlord tried to keep my full deposit for ‘cleaning’ – I had photos proving the place was spotless. Got it all back.”
Sarah, DCU 2nd year: “Digs worked perfectly for me. Yeah, I couldn’t have parties, had a curfew, but meals included, bills included, never worried about anything. Saved money, focused on studying. Moving to house share next year with friends I made.”
Final Checklist Before Signing Anything
✓ Viewed property in person ✓ Met actual landlord/verified identity
✓ Checked area is safe ✓ All utilities working (tested them) ✓ Documented existing damage with photos ✓ Read full rental agreement ✓ Landlord will register with RTB ✓ Deposit amount is reasonable (max 1 month) ✓ Notice periods clear ✓ Repair responsibilities defined ✓ Got everything in writing ✓ Receipt for deposit paid ✓ Saved landlord contact details ✓ Know your housemates (if shared) ✓ Calculated total real costs including bills ✓ Can actually afford it
Bottom Line
Finding student accommodation in Ireland is stressful, competitive, and expensive. But thousands of students manage it every year.
Your strategy:
- Start early (March-April ideal, January-February even better)
- Be realistic about budget and location
- Check multiple websites daily
- Join Facebook groups
- Have money ready
- Make decisions quickly
- Avoid scams (never pay without viewing)
- Know your rights
- Have backup plans
Final thought: Your first accommodation doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be safe, affordable, and give you time to figure out what you actually want. Loads of students move after first year once they know the city better.
You’ll find something. It might not be your dream apartment, but you’ll find something.
Now stop reading and start searching.
Related Articles:
- Complete CAO 2026 Application Guide
- SUSI Grant Application: Maximum Your Financial Aid
- Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students Ireland
- Budgeting Guide: Surviving College on €1,000/Month
Updated November 2025 | Prices verified through current listings and PBSA providers
