Accommodation Resources

Advantages of BER for Students

From 1st January 2009, a BER (Building Energy Rating) Certificate is compulsory for all houses or apartments being offered to rent. This has significant implications for students.

Main advantages of BER for students

  1. Improved tenant comfort
    (A B2-rated house will be much easier to heat in December than an F-rated house and there will be less chance of mould growth or condensation)
  2. Reduced running costs for the year
    (A better rated house will have lower heating and electricity bils)
  3. Better for the environment
    (A better energy rating means lower CO2 emissions that cause climate change, less fossil fuel consumption, less pollution)

 

Other advantages:

  1. Landlords are legally obliged to have a BER for any property they are renting
    (Ensure landlords comply and do their bit for the environment)
  2. Promotes local job creation
    (Many construction jobs could be created in upgrading the current energy inefficicent housing stock)
  3. Reduces potential impact of Carbon taxes on fuel bills
    (Carbon taxes may be introduced in the next budget)
  4. Less money leaves the Irish economy
    (Energy efficiency reduces imported oil and gas, Kyoto fines etc.)

For more info go to www.sei.ie

Basic Accommodation Info

It’s important that you know the basics. You are entitled by law to a rent book and lease. You can download a copy Letting Agreement or order a Rent Book if you don’t have them already. Make sure to know the details of the lease especially with respect to overnight guests, bin charges and any television license. If something goes wrong, which it easily can, this will make your position stronger. You can avoid most problems if you make an inventory list when you move in, noting any damage to the premises, and get the landlord to sign this. Don’t forget that your conduct in your residence is something which is covered by the University Code of Conduct.

Your Obligations

  • pay the rent and any other specified charges including TV license!
  • make sure no damage above normal wear and tear occurs to the accommodation;
  • notify the landlord of any repair requirements
  • allow access for repairs to be carried out and by appointment for routine inspections;
  • keep the landlord informed of the identity of the occupants
  • not engage in or allow anti-social behaviour
  • not act, or allow visitors to act in a way that would invalidate the landlord’s insurance;
  • not cause the landlord to be in breach of statutory obligations
  • not alter, improve, assign, sub-let or change the use of the dwelling without written consent from the landlord
  • NOT engage in any form of anti-social behaviour. You are responsible for all the guests in your home, so if they cause trouble, you’ll have to pay for it. Check with the landlord if there are any set conditions on noise and house parties (we cannot stress this enough).

Your Landlord’s Obligations

  • allow the tenant to enjoy peaceful and exclusive occupation i.e. not enter without permission. (If you rent a room, then s/he can access common areas of the house)
  • carry out repairs, subject to tenant liability for damage beyond normal wear and tear
  • insure the dwelling, subject to the insurance being available at a reasonable cost
  • provide a point of contact
  • promptly refund deposits unless rent is owing or there is damage beyond normal wear and tea
  • reimburse tenants for expenditure on repairs that were appropriate to the landlord
  • provide a rent book / written letting agreement or lease
  • enforce tenant obligations
  • not penalise tenants for making complaints or taking action to enforce their rights
  • register the property for rent with the Private Residential Tenancies Board. They can be contacted on 01 6350600 or www.prtb.ie

These respective obligations must be adhered to whether or not there is a lease or written agreement – landlords and tenants cannot contract out of them. Additional obligations, however, can be included in a lease.

If you encounter a problem with your rented accommodation you can also contact Threshold on 091 563080.

Without a Fixed Term Lease

The landlord can terminate without specifying grounds during the first 6 months, but once a tenancy has lasted 6 months, the landlord will be able to terminate that tenancy only if any of the following apply:

  • the tenant does not comply with the obligations of the tenancy
  • the dwelling is no longer suited to the occupants accommodation needs (e.g. overcrowded)
  • the landlord intends to sell the dwelling in the next 3 months
  • the landlord requires the dwelling for own or family member occupation
  • the landlord intends to refurbish the dwelling
  • the landlord intends to change the business use of the dwelling

If a tenant wants to terminate a tenancy and move, the tenant must give the landlord notice in writing.
A phone call, text message, or even an email will not do. Even if the landlord is agreeable to a tenant’s oral notice to leave, it is recommended that the tenant follows up the oral notice with a formal written one. A tenant who does not serve the landlord with formal written notice endangers their deposit. If a written lease is in place, the tenant could also be held liable for the remainder of the rent owed for the rest of the lease period. The notice must be in writing and signed by the tenant. It should specify the date of service and the date the notice will expire. An example of a notice can be found here. Download Notice of termination of tenancy letter

The following is the time to be given for a notice to quit:

  • Less than 6 months : 28 days
  • 6 or more months but less than 1 year: 35 days
  • 1 year or more but less than 2 years: 42 days

Fixed Term Lease

Remember that if you agree to stay until the end of May or until another stipulated time, you cannot contract out of this. Be aware that if you leave before this date, you may be breaking your contract and are liable to lose your deposit at least. Remember a contract doesn’t necessarily have to be written down; a verbal agreement is legally binding! You also cannot use your deposit as the final months rent. Some landlords might let you but they don’t have to.

Digs

Your entitlements depend on the agreement you made with the landlord. You should, if possible, get a written agreement stating what exactly you will receive for your money. If the landlord tells you before you move in that there is a curfew and you agree to move in then you have to stick to the rules set down.

There are no laws as to whether you have to give your room to a son or daughter at weekends or holidays. You should try and set all the rules down at the beginning. There are guidelines available on the University Accommodation Office website https://www.uniofgalwaystudentpad.ie/Accommodation

Home Safety

Fire Safety Tips

  • Get smoke alarms and test them regularly – €15 is a small price to pay to protect yourself. Put it somewhere it can be heard all over the house. Get a second one if you have to.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in your kitchen.
  • Make sure that all electrical appliances, sockets and leads are in good working order. Don’t overload sockets.
  • Never turn your back on a frier. Don’t use water on a chip pan fire.
  • Check that your cooker is turned off and put out an open fire before you go to bed.
  • With an open fire, always use a fireguard and make sure the room is ventilated.
  • Plug out appliances, especially the television, before going to bed.
  • Smokers, use proper ashtrays and don’t smoke in bed.
  • Roll, don’t fold, an electric blanket if you’re storing it.
  • Keep heaters away from furniture and curtains and don’t move them when they are on. Make sure there’s ventilation in rooms where you use them.
  • Have an escape plan. Know how you and your housemates would get out if you had to.
  • Don’t leave your phone charger in the socket when it’s not in use
  • Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common yet preventable cause of death from poisoning. Carbon Monoxide detectors can be bought for around €30 in a DIY store.

Burglary Prevention

Most day-time burglaries take place in unoccupied homes. Windows are the most common means of entry in domestic cases. When leaving the house, close any windows which can be climbed into. Make sure you don’t leave valuables where they can be seen through the window. Secure your windows, doors, sheds and garages and don’t cut more keys than you have to! If you have a spare, give it to someone you trust. Don’t leave obvious signs of a vacant apartment such as closed curtains during daylight hours. Just in case you are broken into, you should mark your property so it can be identified. Don’t leave loose cash at home and keep bank cards in a safe place. Consider insuring any valuables you have such as laptops, Playstations etc.

The Gardaí in Galway can be reached on 091 538000 or in an emergency ring 999 or 112.

Letting Agreement

When you enter into a tenancy agreement, you are making a legally binding commitment. It it important to read any document carefully before you sign it and consider the nature of the commitments you are making. If you are unsure, seek further advice.

Download a copy of our Letting Agreement as well as being legally binding it provides a useful inventory so you can list your accommodation contents and what condition they’re in when you first move in. This will come in very handy when you’re looking for your deposit at the end of the year.

You can order a Rent Book if you don’t already have it.

Moving Out of Home

Don’t buy everything new. Trust us, you’ll find much better things to spend your money on before too long. The cheapest way to get by in college is to raid base camp. When you arrive, you probably will have brought the essentials. However, there are a few things that are sometimes forgotten. To combat this we compiled a list of them that you should ‘borrow’ next time you go home. Sme of them prove hard to forget – you’ll only run out of loo roll once! Other items might not come to mind so quickly, such as a needle and thread. They come in handy when you’re all dolled up for a night on the town and realise your top has a rip in it.

So next time you go home, bring this list with you and tick the following items as you ‘borrow’ them:

Kitchen

  • Clingfilm
  • Bin Bags
  • Non-Perishables (rice, pasta, etc.)
  • Lasagne Dish
  • Kitchen Roll
  • Tea Towels
  • Washing Powder
  • Tupperware
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Tinfoil
  • Tea Pot
  • Washing Up Liquid
  • Tea Bags

Bathroom

  • Bleach
  • Toothpaste
  • Toilet Brush
  • Toiletries
  • Face Cloths
  • Bath Towels
  • Toilet Roll
  • Shampoo
  • A fully stocked Medicine Box

Bedroom

  • Bedside Table
  • Extra Blanket
  • Small Mirror
  • Hot Water Bottle

General

  • Torch
  • Clothes Horse
  • Hammer
  • Sewing Kit
  • Clothes Pegs
  • Screwdriver
  • Waterproof Jacket & Trousers
  • Spanner
  • Candles
  • Batteries (AAA & AA)
  • Umbrella
  • Firelighters
  • Light Bulbs
  • Plunger

Accommodation Checklist

Is it convenient? Check bus routes, local shops, laundrettes, etc. Always walk from the house to college to see how long it really takes. A drive in mammy’s car will always seem shorter than a walk of twenty minutes in the pouring rain. How is the house heated? What will it cost to heat? How is the ESB and GAS (if applicable) paid – meter or bill? Check meter readings – any arrears?

Inside the House

  • Is the lighting sufficient for studying?
  • Are all electrical appliances in working order?
  • Is there a smoke detector? Fire extinguisher, escape route?
  • Are the bathroom facilities adequate? Ventilated, etc?
  • Are there enough kitchen utensils, is the kitchen ventilated?
  • Look for dampness – check the cupboards!
  • Access to rubbish disposal arrangements?

Security

  • Do the neighbourhood and the walk home appear safe?
  • Are there public phones nearby?
  • Is there a secure place for bicycles and/or parking?
  • Are the doors and windows secure, and who has access to the keys?

Ask Landlord/Landlady

  • Terms of tenancy agreement – don’t sign until you’re sure
  • When you pay a deposit, make sure you get a receipt
  • Will payment be monthly or weekly & what does it cover, e.g. electricity, heat, etc.?
  • Ensure that the property has a BER (Building Energy Rating). For more information check www.sei.ie
  • You are entitled by law to a rent book, so ask for one. If they won’t give you one, then the Students’ Union will – for free!
  • Establish when the landlord can enter the house. You are entitled to quiet possession nobody can enter your house uninvited including the landlord/lady
  • Ask for an inventory of what is in the house and get your landlord to co-sign it with you and keep a copy
  • Get the name, address and contact phone number of your landlord/lady or his/her agent for emergencies
  • Clarify which repairs will be the responsibility of the landlord/lady

Further Queries

Should you have any further queries, feel free to contact one of the following:

Students’ Union Welfare Officer, University of Galway  su.welfare@universityofgalway.ie

University of Galway Accommodation Office, Áras Uí Chathail, Tel: (091) 493 540

Threshold Freephone 1800 454 454 or email via website: https://threshold.ie/get-help/

Student Villages

Student Villages are very popular, especially amongst first year students. It must be noted that student villages are more expensive then private accommodation.

Find out more about the student villages in Galway here.

Contact Us

The Students’ Union offices are open from 10:00am to 5.00pm (Monday – Friday) during term time.

Our summer opening hours are 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-4.30pm Monday-Friday.

The officers can be reached outside of these hours using the contact numbers given in the Executive Committee section.