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STUDENTS GEARING UP for college life have been warned by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to exercise caution when choosing prospective flatmates and landlords.
The PRTB advised students – particularly those renting for the first time – to take the time to establish a potential landlord is an experienced professional, and to ensure they share some common ground with their new flatmates.
While recognising the excitement felt by young people experiencing new-found independence, the PRTB also reminded students that renting a property is “a business arrangement which must be taken very seriously”.
The Board warned that:
It also underlined the importance of prospective renters signing a lease that suits their needs; students, in particular, are asked to consider whether a twelve month lease is something they can truthfully undertake if they only need the property for the academic year – as breaking a lease may incur penalties.
Deposits
The single biggest area of dispute referred to the PRTB each year relates to deposits, and students have been strongly advised to know their rights on this matter.
The PRTB says there are only three circumstances in which a security deposit may be retained:
Students are encouraged to prepare a detailed inventory of all the contents of the rented property and the condition of each item before they move in. If photographs are taken of items or areas which look damaged or stained, they can be extremely helpful in the case of a later dispute.
However, the PRTB also had a more positive message for students – pointing out that rents have been decreasing over the last number of years and that students could now expect a higher standard of accommodation.
New standards set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 and Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, absence of damp, separate bathroom facilities, heating, ventilation, light and safety of gas and electrical supply. A kitchen, for example, must include at least a four ring hob with grill and oven, a fridge and freezer, microwave and washing machine.
Landlords are legally obliged to register the tenancy with the Board, and the PRTB maintains a public register on its website.
However, college-owned accommodation does not come within the PRTB remit.
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The words ‘landlord’ and ‘experienced professional’ do not fit into the same sentence in Ireland.
You’re probably best off getting all the utensils and crockery and putting them out of the way in boxes.
Nick stuff from home or the college canteen and buy a stack of paper plates.
And don’t forget to stock up on toilet paper from any open dispenser on campus. Do they still make shiny bog-roll anymore? Oh, happy days.
Ah yes the only bog roll you can get paper cuts from.
After seven years of being a student ( doing a professional qual not van wilder) I can definitely relate to poor and downright awful renting experiences. My advice would be to try your hardest to rent off someone who has rented to someone you know before. Personal experience is the only way to get an idea of a landlord never mind them being a professional. In my experience the more professional they are, the tighter they are. Also, clarify at beginning whether you are culpable if one of your housemates pull a runner. Deposit time is without a doubt the most stressful time, but be persistent. Phone and email regularly. It has taken me up to 7 months to get mine back but it was worth the persistence. Generally I found dealing with property management companies marginally better than dealing directly with the landlord. No advice really on housemates, go with your gut but at the same time you can never predict people you know well until you live with them!!!!
The Prtb is nothing more than another Quango and a reason to keep more civil servants in jobs. It provides no value to either the tenant or the landlord.
If the accommodation is poor don’t rent it , If your landlord is evil bring them to the small claims court. IF your tenant is evil bring them to the small claims court.
simple as that .
If utility bills are in the tenants names then why would that be a reason for the land lord to hold the deposit back?
The college accommodations are far worse and they’re not even within the PRTB’s remit.
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