1. Think outside the box
Open your mind to areas outside of the city. September and October are high demand periods each year for accommodation in Dublin so you may have to consider an area outside the city centre. Dublin is a small county with many commuter towns that are well serviced by quality bus corridors and commuter rail lines. It’s a good idea to review maps of Dublin and cross reference them with Dublin Transport link maps to identify ‘Plan B’ areas for your accommodation search.
2. Get active in your search.
If you have a smartphone, download the daft.ie app and set up email alerts so that you are notified about new lettings and properties that come on stream daily. Be sure that you have an Irish phone number so that you are easily contactable. A phone call is more effective (and much more personal) than an email. SIM cards are available in most phone retail stores in the city centre. Set up alerts via email on databases and check them daily so that you can stay ahead of the crowd.
3. Stay positive and exhaust all avenues.
A little bit of luck and a lot of hard work will get you the right accommodation at the right price. Advertise yourself as a potential roommate on offline noticeboards and online databases. There are many options when on the search for accommodation – make sure to use them all.
Where to Look?
DBS Accommodation Guide: You can find information on accommodation in the DBS Accommodation Guide. Click here for the 2017/18 version.
Newspapers: Many landlords opt for the newspaper over online databases to advertise their lettings. The Evening Herald is probably the best newspaper for accommodation listings. It comes out at midday each day.
The Buy and Sell magazine is also worth checking out. It goes on sale every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and can be purchased in most newsagents.
Online Accommodation Databases: One of the most frequently used accommodation search engines is Daft.ie so it is up to date and regularly monitored. The website also offers the “search by college” function within its “advanced search” function and allows you to post your own advertisement via the ‘Team Up Database’.
Here is a list of property search sites to help strengthen your search:
www.daft.ie
www.rent.ie
www.myhome.ie - Student section
www.collegecribs.ie
www.gumtree.ie
www.let4u.ie
www.propertycheck.ie
www.collegeliving.ie - a list of student residences
Online and Offline Notice Boards: There are many people in the same situation as you. Put up a notice on the DBS Accommodation Board in the Aungier St. campus on the ground floor. As mentioned above, ‘Team Up Database’ on Daft.ie is another potential space to connect with others in search of accommodation in Dublin Business School.