Accommodation Advice
Advice for getting started!

Once you have a place in GMIT, you need to organise somewhere to live quickly. Depending on your situation you might continue living at home or have relations that you can stay with. However for many people, college means moving to a new town or city and trying to find a flat for the first time.

Nabbing that perfect pad

The Students’ Union have an up-to-date accommodation list, which you can view at www.gmitsu.ie, or you can call into the SU office.

Don’t panic and take the first place you look at. Ask someone with experience of living in rented accommodation to come with you and check stuff like the heating, who you’re living with, how long it will take you to get to college and is the kitchen okay for cooking.

Check out the local newspapers and www.daft.ie for the area your moving to. There are often loads of classified ads with houses or rooms to let. Make sure to get a copy of the paper as soon as it comes out as everyone will be fighting for the best deals.

Everybody has different needs when it comes to living space. Some people are happy to share a room, others need their own space. You might be looking for a party house or somewhere where you can study and get a good night’s sleep. You also have to consider whether you want to cook for yourself, independence or home comforts, to live with other students or find your own place.

Types of accommodation

Lodgings or digs

Lodgings or digs mean renting a room in a family house.  You are provided meals (maybe breakfast and dinner) by the family.  You don’t have to worry as much about cooking and cleaning.  If you’re planning to party lots, this isn’t the best option. You’ll have to respect the family and not roll in singing at 3am. Bills are usually included in the payment.

Lodgings/Digs may be more expensive but you don’t spend as much on food.  Check if you need to pay during holiday time to reserve your room.  If you’re very nervous about leaving home this could be a good option for first year.

Private Accommodation

The accommodation (home/apartment) should have everything you need nearby (shops, laundrettes, bars!) and be easily reached from GMIT.

Ask about the deposit conditions. A deposit is a lump sum of money (often 1 month’s rent) that you are asked to pay up font to cover any damage to the accommodation while you live there. Your deposit will be returned if everything is intact when leaving the property.

Many students find that when it comes to asking for their deposit back, the landlord charges them for damage already done to the flat.

Make sure that the landlord gives you a list of what’s in the flat and anything that needs to be repaired BEFORE you move in. Then you can’t be asked to pay for anything already broken or damaged. Note anything broken or damaged before you moved in and list if for the landlord.