Off-Campus

Common Accommodation Questions

How can I avoid rent fraud/scams when searching for private accommodation?

Search Smart

Studentpad is one of the most secure ways to search for private student accommodation. A landlord will never make the initial contact with you on Studentpad. Your details will only become available to the landlord/homeowner once you have contacted them directly. You should always keep the following tips below in mind while searching for accommodation on any platform, including Studentpad.

Rental fraud is an increasingly common issue, and students are a major target for scammers. International students are particularly at risk of losing money when deposits are transferred to prospective landlords without seeing a property in person. We strongly encourage all students to not transfer any money until a property has been viewed in person. Always meet a prospective landlord in person in the accommodation to be rented. Bring a friend and keep copies of all correspondence.

Your landlord does not legally have to provide a tenancy agreement, however most private tenancy prefer to have their rights and responsibilities laid out in an official document. Make sure that you understand your rental agreement and have read the document in full before signing. Ensure that you are clear on what is included in the rent, such as utility or refuse bills. Check that keys fit, doors lock and open, and the rental contract has been signed, prior to paying deposit.

If a property seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of properties advertised for below the average rent price, particularly when the advert boasts impressive images with insufficient information. Scammers sometimes use stolen images, so keep an eye out for generic/stock images or location-specific details such as non-Irish plug sockets that suggest the property is not located in Galway.

A legitimate landlord or letting agent will usually not:

• Reach out to students first, or insist on communicating only through text, WhatsApp or social media. 
• Tell you that they cannot show you the property in person. 
• Consistently make errors in their correspondence with you or provide inconsistent information. 
• Request a deposit or one month’s rent from you to secure accommodation without an official rental agreement. In the case of owner-occupied accommodation, the landlord does not have to provide a tenancy agreement, however it is important to agree on ground rules for the duration of your stay and you may want to put these in writing to avoid confusion later. 
• Pressure you to transfer money without providing all the relevant information. 
• Offer accommodation with no questions asked and demand immediate payment. 
• Ask you to pay via cryptocurrency or wire transfer. 

A legitimate landlord or letting agent should:

• Provide a rental agreement (private accommodation), or clearly state what is included in the rent. Please note: in owner-occupied accommodation, landlords have no obligation to provide an agreement or clear ground rules, however it is advisable to bring this up with your landlord before moving in, and to suggest putting these rules in writing to avoid confusion at a later date. 
• Make sure you have seen the premises and that the rental agreement is signed (private accommodation) before asking for a deposit. You can find more advice on avoiding rental fraud from An Garda Síochána and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Document everything

Pay the deposit to the landlord only – not the person leaving the property – and make sure to pay using bank draft or transfers. Keep copies of payments receipts and any correspondence. Obtain a legitimate receipt in writing for any payment you make.

When you are meeting a prospective landlord in the accommodation, ask to see an official photo ID from the landlord/letting agent (passport or driving license), and take a photo of this document.

Know your rights

Do not hand over any money if you are unhappy with the condition of the property.

Make a list of furniture and appliances with the landlord. If there are any outstanding repairs, ask the landlord to state in writing that they will be repaired – take photos and make sure to save them in a secure space. You can learn more about safely searching for accommodation from the Residential Tenancies Board, An Garda Síochána and Threshold.ie.

To learn more about your rights as a tenant in private accommodation or owner-occupied accommodation, click here.

When should you start searching for accommodation?​

Both on-campus and off-campus student residences start taking applications in February for the following September, and remain open for a few weeks only. Off-campus accommodation providers Westwood and Swuite start taking booking from Early December and January. It's a good idea to accommodation providers’ newsletters to receive alerts for important dates and deadlines.

Applications for on-campus accommodation have now closed. Applications for new-entrant international students will be processed in May 2024 (check your eligibility here).

If you are searching for off-campus private accommodation, we recommend that you arrive in Galway early in the summer to arrange viewings.

Can I hear from other students who have found accommodation?

​Click here to read testimonials from other students. 

I am an international student. Can I book accommodation from my home country?​

We advise against sending money to a landlord until you have seen the property in person. ​​

If you are travelling to Galway from abroad, you can book short-term accommodation (like a B&B or hostel) for your arrival, then view properties before committing to a deposit. We recommend scheduling viewings and arriving in Galway well before term time, to ensure that you have accommodation confirmed in good time.​​

Any tips on being a good housemate?

1. Remember to adhere to HSE guidelines on Covid-19 at all times to ensure that the university and wider community stay safe and well.
2. Be clear from the start: agree rotas for cleaning and agree on a guest policy.
3. Ask before borrowing your housemate’s stuff.
4. Address small issues in a respectful way before they become bigger.
5. Shared spaces are shared by all. Don’t leave your stuff hanging around.
6. Be friendly, without expecting to be automatically best friends.
7. Trying new things is a great way to meet people.
8. Treat your roommate how you would want to be treated. In other words, show respect! 
9. Download the OurHome app: a great way to manage tasks and grocery lists among your housemates. Available for iOS, Android & Webapp.

Off-Campus Accommodation

What are the key tips to keep in mind while searching for accommodation?

• Visit Studentpad 
  
  The most secure way to search for private student accommodation. All properties advertised go through a registration process and are regularly updated.

• Search smart
  
  Always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented, bring a friend and remember to keep copies of correspondence. Make sure there is a rental agreement that you understand and have read in full. Sign the contract prior to paying deposit. Stay informed of your tenancy rights.
  
  Make a list of furniture and appliances with the landlord. If there are any outstanding repairs, ask the landlord to state in writing that they will be repaired – take photos if necessary. You can learn more about tenancy safety from the Residential Tenancies Board, An Garda Síochána and Threshold.ie. 

• What is your budget?
  
  Consider your expenses including travel, bills and food when working out how much to spend on accommodation. See here for an overview of living costs in Galway.

• What is included in the rent?
  
  When working out your budget, make sure to check whether bills are included in rental rates, so you can factor this into your budget.

• Start as early as possible
  
  Given the shortage of accommodation throughout Ireland, it’s wise to start refining your choices now. 

How can I safely search for private accommodation?​

• Ideally only deal with established bon-fide rental agencies.​

• Always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented.​

• Ask for ID (driver’s licence or photo ID) of landlord/letting agent (take a photo of the document).​

• Pay the deposit to the landlord only – not the person leaving the property.​

• Use cheques or bank drafts to pay the deposit. Keep copies of receipts of payments and any correspondence.​

• Ensure keys fit, door locks and opens, and rental contract is signed, prior to paying deposit.​ 

Don't get caught by rental fraud. Check out important tips from the Residential Tenancies Board, An Garda Síochána and Threshold.ie.
You can also get advice on your rights here.

Are there off-campus private residences nearby?​

1. Dunaras ​
   (26 mins to campus on foot, 8 mins by bike)​

2. Gort na Coiribe​
   (18 mins to campus on foot, 6 mins by bike)​

3. Menlo Park Apartments​
   (26 mins to campus on foot, 10 mins by bike)​

4. Donegan Court ​
   (13 mins to campus on foot, 4 mins by bike)​

5. Atlantis Apartments ​
   (16 mins to campus on foot, 6 mins by bike)​

6. Swuite ​
   (26 mins to campus on foot, 7 mins by bike)​

7. The Westwood ​
   (20 mins to campus on foot, 6 mins by bike)​

8. Galway Central ​
   (21 mins to campus on foot, 7 mins by bike)
   
   

How much does off-campus accommodation cost?​

Digs / Community Accommodation​

In a digs or community accommodation, students pay a homeowner for accommodation which is offered on a full-time or five-day basis (depending on the homeowner). Digs are available throughout Galway city and surrounding areas. Some homeowners are happy to provide meals, while others prefer to give their students access to the kitchen to prepare their own food. Prices vary, usually between €150 and €250 per week (often including bills).

Which areas in Galway are best for student living?

While your first preference might be the city centre, Galway's various residential areas have a lot to offer. Learn more about these here. 

I’m attending the Shannon College of Hotel Management. What are my accommodation options?

If you are in your first year of study at Shannon College, accommodation is available in Castle Gardens at Bunratty Village. All aspects of this accommodation is managed by private company, Rent an Irish Cottage MGMT Ltd.

If you are in year 3 or 4, accommodation is available is at Bunratty West in Bunratty Village, also managed by Rent an Irish Cottage. You can find more private accommodation contacts here.

You can also explore options on Studentpad, a reliable search engine for private student accommodation. Under the “Campus” button heading please select “Shannon College of Hotel Management”. Other sources of private accommodation include Daft.ie, Rent.ie and MyHome.ie – however, caution is urged. Do not part with any money until you have seen the property in person.

For further assistance please contact Student Services Officer, April at april.rushe@nuigalway.ie 

Click here to learn more about accommodation at Shannon College.