The University of Galway has distributed 40,000 leaflets urging residents to offer accommodation to students in preparation for the upcoming academic term, reports RTE.
Students’ unions are reporting that the accommodation shortage has reached unprecedented levels this year.
In Galway city, which hosts more than 30,000 students, the demand for student housing is intense, reports RTE.
However, many students are encountering significant challenges, including a dwindling supply of available housing, competition from short-term rentals like Airbnb, and rising rental prices.
According to the latest Daft.ie Rental Report for Galway, fewer than 200 properties were listed as available on May 1st, representing a 35% decline compared to the previous year.
Monthly rent prices now range from €600 to €1,200, depending on the location, reports RTE.
A recent survey carried out by the university’s students’ union revealed that 80% of respondents had difficulty finding accommodation during the last academic year.
Additionally, half of all students reported working part-time in order to afford their education, reports RTE.
Mark, a student from Co Offaly, is preparing for a daily four-hour commute due to a lack of suitable housing.
“There is no accommodation available before it was like how expensive it was, but in the past couple of years, it has got to the point where there isn’t anything at all,” he said on RTÉ’s This Week programme,” reports RTE.
“I’ve been searching all year for accommodation and it’s just impossible,” he said, reports RTE.
“At this point, as a final year student I’m going to be commuting a four-hour round trip every day,” he added, reports RTE.
Paddy Marnane, Student Welfare Officer at University of Galway’s Students’ Union, said property owners are increasingly turning to Airbnb instead of renting to students.
“The Rental Tenancies Board brought in new legislation that students have protection for six months, but it also means landlords are favouring Airbnb tenants rather than students,” Mr Marnane, from Co Carlow, said, reports RTE.
“I’m also searching for accommodation and making up to 10 calls per day, but I’ve nothing secured yet,” he added, reports RTE.
Colm O’Donnellan, Managing Director at O’Donnellan Joyce Estate Agents in Galway, said his office is overwhelmed with inquiries from students in search of housing.
“This is an annual problem, but it is worse this year than ever before,” he said, adding “it’s always difficult to get accommodation”, reports RTE.
Mr O’Donnellan said there is “a huge shortage”.
“Students are going around from agents to agents seeking accommodation,” he said, reports RTE.
“What we’re finding now is that quite a lot of parents are buying properties for their sons or daughters, so they have security for the future,” he said, adding “it’s a huge financial commitment”.
Sage L Alloway, a PhD student, received a notice to vacate her current accommodation.
“We found a place we thought was surprisingly affordable, so that’s when we should have known it was a scam,” she said, reports RTE.
“As we went to send the money in, we noticed it wasn’t going to the landlord, but instead to Spain. Fortunately, we got it stopped,” she added, reports RTE.
Hannah explained that she obtained a job that helped her secure housing, though the condition of the property was poor.
“There was a hole in the door and everything, a stained mattress, they never replaced and no heating whatsoever,” she said, reports RTE.
“I’ve fallen on my feet. I’m in a nice house now, with lovely people but there are eight of us living in it,” she added, reports RTE.
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