Property
Students urged to check rights and responsibilities
As offers of third level education places are made to students this week, the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) is advising students – and particularly those who will be looking to rent student accommodation for the first time – to check their rights and responsibilities when it comes to renting and avoid paying excessive rents by informing themselves of actual rents across the country.
The PRTB Rent Index, which is available on www.prtb.ie, provides students with important benchmark information and is an authoritative guide as to the actual rents being charged by landlords adjacent to all Universities, ITs and other Third Level colleges.
Compiled by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), and based on the PRTB’s own register of over 300,000 tenancies across the State, the Rent Index reveals the actual rents being paid for rented properties, as distinct from the asking rent which features in other rent reports published by other parties.
The index covers 446 locations across the country and five different property types. This can help students and their parents to make informed decisions about the accommodation options open to them, both adjacent to college and along transport routes, and to negotiate the best possible deal on rent.
“Going to college is an important and exciting experience, but some students who are renting, particularly those leaving home for the first time, may need some support and guidance as they leave home and rent for the first time,” said PRTB Director, Anne Marie Caulfield.
“PRTB has found that many first time students are unsure of their rights, or who to contact if they find themselves in difficulty. One of the biggest challenges this year is the cost of renting and scarcity of accommodation. The danger is that students, in a desire to find accommodation, sign up to longer leases than they need or informing themselves of market rent in the area or of their rights,” she explained.
The PRTB Rent Index reveals the different rent levels across the country for different accommodation – in the first three months of 2015, the average rent for a two-bed apartment in Galway City was €809.25, compared to €588.91 in Limerick, €867.20 in Cork, and €1,334.58 in Clonskeagh in Dublin, beside UCD.
Ms Caulfield also advised students to think carefully and consider all that is involved in renting a property and, perhaps, moving in with new flatmates.
“Remember that you may find yourself jointly and severely liable for your flatmates rent arrears or bills. We have also published information on protecting deposits and how to ensure it is refunded at the end of the academic year, as well as a list of what students are legally entitled to in terms of the standard of rented accommodation, and their responsibilities as tenants.
“We would remind students to make sure they get the landlord’s name, address and phone number in case of emergencies – you’re entitled to that. And don’t sign up to a 12 month lease if you will only be staying for a nine month academic year,” she added.
The PRTB would encourage students to search the PRTB website to see if their potential landlord has had previous dispute cases.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
O’Donnellan and Joyce are handling the sale of a large four-bed detached property located in Shangort Park, Knocknacarra, in Galway.
Located just off Shangort Road, Number 11 was constructed in the early 2000s.
It is a small, quiet development comprised of a mixture or detached and semi-detached homes finished to the highest of standards and overlooking a large green area.
In terms of location, this property has all that one would require and is ideally located within a short walk of quality local schools such as Gaelscoil Mhic Ahmlaigh, Knocknacarra National School and Colaiste Na Coiribe.
An abundance of amenities include the Gateway Shopping Park (B&Q) and Tesco. There are a number of ample green spaces and playing fields close by such as McGrath’s Field, Cappagh Park and Millars Lane.
The property is also located just minutes from the stunning surroundings of Rusheen Bay and Rusheen Woods and the area also boasts a wealth of local amenities.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Property firm iamsold, whose online bidding and auction platform is used by more 300 auctioneers across Ireland, is continuing to take entries for its 2023 auctions with the next dates scheduled for May 18, June 22 and July 20.
Shane May, Sales Manager for iamsold said: “Previous years have shown the May to July period is particularly strong for selling residential and commercial property. We have an excellent variety of properties currently on offer, and we are finding that there is an ongoing appetite for realistically priced property throughout the country. Our partner auctioneers have been kept busy as requests for viewings remain high.”
Among the properties for sale at the moment are:
Sky Road, Clifden. This is a two-bed property described as “character filled” set in a wonderful holiday location.
This is a traditional cottage which has been cleverly extended to retain its character with a modern living interior. The focal point is the extended living area with full and uninterrupted views over Kingstown Bay. The property is offered at bids over €525,000 and for sale by Sherry FitzGerald Mangan.
Main Street, Headford. Currently the property comprises two buildings, one of which was a public house, whilst the other was a private dwelling. Subject to planning, there is potential to extend to the rear of the property and create multiple units which could potentially provide 2 x 2 bed apartments, along with 3 x 1 bed apartments and could be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, offering between €30,000 and €50,000 towards the renovations. The property is offered at bids over €145,000 and for sale by Michelle Burke Estate Agents.
For more information on the auction, call 091 882121 or visit iamsold.ie
DNG Martin O’Connor Land Sales are holding an online auction on May 11, where two lots of land in Letterfrack will go under the hammer.
The first lot is an opportunity to acquire a cottage with shed ruins on 4.34ha (10.72 acres) of top-quality land at Attirowerty. Enjoying incredible views in all direction, this land is one of the most outstanding opportunities to acquire a lovely holding of meticulously maintained farmland in the Connemara region in many years.
Bordering the Traheen River, the cottage – dating back to the 1800s – is a traditional stone built property under a galvanised roof laid out in two rooms with open fireplaces in each room. Across the yard there are the ruins of a large shed which could be renovated.
Looking south the cottage enjoys views of Ballinakill Bay, Tully Hill and Letter Hill to the west whilst to the north Diamond Hill and the Mweelrea mountains with many more hills of south Mayo are visible in the distance.
Fully enclosed by stonewalls and concrete post with wire fencing, the land laid out in three large sections provides excellent grazing with a cattle holding yard and cattle crush.
The land is suited for all types of livestock grazing with cattle farming been the main enterprise over the years on the holding. Due to its excellent order the land would be the perfect location for breeding Connemara ponies and also ideal for holding sheep due to its field system and good boundaries.
The property presents itself as an excellent proportion for those looking for a cottage hideaway that they can renovate to their own style in this scenic part of Ireland with a wonderful atmosphere surrounding it. The lands are ideally suited to existing landowners looking to expand or those looking to set up a small holding centrally located between Clifden and Letterfrack.
Lot 2, consisting of commonage lands in three sections at Attirowerty and Baunoge, amounts to 25.5 acres and is also for sale by online auction on the day.
For further information, contact DNG Martin O’Connor on 091 866708.
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