Do your research, the following are some costs & key questions to ask when you visit potential accommodation.
Maynooth University Student Services
ToggleDeposit
- How much will the deposit be?
- What is the deposit for?
- When do you pay the deposit? Make sure to get a receipt otherwise you have no proof of payment.
- How is the deposit returned?
- If I leave before or during the Academic Year is my deposit refundable?
- If you require receipts throughout the year, check with your landlord do they provide receipts?
- Your deposit should be refunded normally at the end of your tenancy or within 28 days after you have vacated the property, provided there are no problems with the condition of the house. It is not a payment towards rent.
Holding Deposits
Some landlords or agents may ask you for a holding deposit when you decide to take the accommodation. This is a sum of money you pay to hold the property for you before you sign the lease and enter into a contract with the landlord. You should always get a written receipt for a holding deposit. Holding deposits are often not refundable if you don’t take up the accommodation.
Security Deposits
You will be asked for a security deposit before moving into the accommodation. Usually a deposit is the equivalent of 1 month’s rent and is held by the landlord as security for any rent arrears or damage beyond normal wear and tear. You should get a receipt for any deposit you pay. The amount of deposit paid should be stated in your rent book if you are in a rented house.
You may lose your deposit if:
- You leave without giving proper notice, or leave before the end of a fixed-term lease
- You cause damage to the accommodation beyond normal wear and tear
- You leave with bills or rent unpaid.
Further information and support
Threshold is a useful source of information and advice on landlord and tenant issues. Read Threshold's advice on seeking private rented accommodation and on tenancy issues in general.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) helps to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, including any disputes about retention of deposits in house rental accommodation
Disputes in ‘rent a room’ tenancies, where the tenant shares a dwelling with the landlord, do not come under the legal jurisdiction of the PRTB. If you are in such an agreement then you can make a claim to the small claims court. Claims for the non-return of a rent deposit for certain kinds of rented properties. For example, a holiday home or a room / flat in a premises where the owner also lives provided that a claim does not exceed €2,000.The following link will help you understand this process. Link to online claim.
Payment of Deposits
Online Money Transfer Services
Using PayPal (www.paypal.com) or other money transfer services is one of the most secure and hassle-free methods of payment if you're booking a rental especially from abroad. PayPal will safeguard your personal information, shielding you against identity theft and other misuse. Should a problem arise, accounts -- and account holders -- can be traced, crucial for a proper investigation.
Fees vary from service to service so check out the costs involved.
Cash & Money Orders
It almost goes without saying: avoid dealing with cash and money orders (like Western Union or MoneyGram) if at all possible -- it's the easiest means for the unscrupulous to disappear with your money without a trace.
If you are concerned about your monies, ask you landlord to explain to you how your monies is secure. If you feel unsafe or uncertain then you may need to consider other accommodation providers.
Rent
Check how much is the rent, when the rent is due (normally monthly in a house and weekly/monthly in an owner occupied/family home), it is your responsibility to make sure your rent is paid on time.
The following may be helpful depending on what type of accommodation you live in or are considering to live in?
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home |
|---|---|
| A rent book must be provided. Basically, a rent book is a record of rent and other payments made by a tenant to the landlord. Further details: http://www.threshold.ie/advice/seeking-private-rented-accommodation/rent-books/ Rent books are available from Threshold at a charge of €2 each. Your Students' Union may also have rent books available. Check when your rent is due (weekly/monthly) it is your responsibility to make sure your rent is paid on time. |
The normal landlord and tenant laws do not cover this situation and disputes. It is recommended in these arrangements that both parties draw up a written agreement to cover issues such as deposits, rent, bills, house rules and notice requirements. As a student this is very important to avoid conflict/disputes during the tenancy. |
| Get a receipt for payment to avoid payment disputes. | See above |
If you require receipts, check with your landlord before you move in, do they provide receipts?
If you wish to know your rights about Rent Increases ?
Absences and rent payments
| Rental Houses | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Absences | You pay as normal for any absences you have from your house | This you should discuss fully with your landlord as there may be room to negotiate with your landlords especially with regard to Christmas/Easter. It is normal to pay for study weeks. Ask if there will be a reduction for utilities or food if either are included in your rent. Any agreement should be in writing and signed by both parties. |
Bills
| House Rental | Owner Occupied Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Bills | Clarify what is included in your rent. For instance, some landlords/agents include bins, others don't. If possible, ask the previous tenants the rough cost of utilities i.e. gas, electricity and water. Take readings of the relevant meters as soon as you can and in the presence of the landlord and do the same when leaving the property at the end of your tenancy. Check with the landlord/agent do you need to change the bills to your name with the relevant suppliers from the time you move in...Decide whether joint names will be put on the bills or if the responsibility will be divided. Careful use of energy will result in savings for all, so turnoff lights and electrical equipment (TV, computers, etc.) when not in use. |
Clarify what is included in your rent as in most cases your rent includes all bills.
When it comes to heating, check how many hours a day (especially in the winter) is the heating provided and include this in your written agreement? |
Contact Details
Get a contact address and phone number for your landlord or his/her agent. Also provide your details including name, address, student number and next of kin contact information.
Ending a Tenancy
Ending a Tenancy Agreement should be agreed in writing prior to moving in on how either party (tenant/landlord) can end the tenancy.
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Ending a tenancy | Check out ending a tenancy for details of either party ending a tenancy if you need advice or guidelines. | Ending a Tenancy Agreement should be agreed in writing prior to moving in on how either party (tenant/landlord) can end the tenancy. |
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If you pay a deposit to secure your accommodation and you end up not taking up the accommodation, then check is your deposit refundable? While a landlord can re-let the accommodation they do not have to refund a deposit. |
If you pay a deposit to secure your accommodation and you end up not taking up the accommodation, then check if your deposit is refundable? While a landlord can re-let the accommodation they do not have to refund a deposit. |
Energy Rating
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
| BER Rating | Energy Rating(BER) From Jan 2009 all rented properties will have to supply this information. A high rated house will be far cheaper to heat and save you money. | Not applicable |
Events/Parties
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Events/Parties | Many landlords include in their agreements with students that events/parties are not permitted in the rental property.
Tenants living in houses, apartments etc. cannot interfere with their neighbours, or indeed their fellow tenants, rights to “peaceful enjoyment of their property”. Complaints can lead to the termination of a tenancy and/or referral to the Student Discipline procedures of Maynooth University. |
Discuss with your landlord prior to moving in as in general most will not allow parties. |
Inventory
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | It is not uncommon for tenants to receive a copy of inventory from their landlords when first moving in. An inventory can be extremely useful evidence of the condition of the property when you first move in. It provides a full inspection of the property’s contents and their condition. If you aren’t supplied with an inventory by your letting agent or landlord, don’t hesitate to ask for one. If you still don’t receive one, provided them with your own. You do this by making a list of the contents room by room, and then take photos or use video evidence to record the property contents and condition as back up. The Landlord/Agent and tenant(s)should both sign the inventory and initial every page to indicate that you agree to the condition of the property contents and condition. If at all possible, the final inventory check should be done on move out day and checked against the original inventory. This should ensure that there aren’t any disputes about the extent of the damage should there be some, as the landlord may need to take monies out of the deposits to pay for these. When compiling an inventory it is essential that you:Describe the condition of every item within the property Back it up with photographic/video evidence Take a note of the oil, gas and electric meter readings Get the landlord/agent to agree to and sign the inventory Keep a safe coy of the signed inventory to check against when moving out |
Sames as House Rental |
Privacy
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy |
•Allowing you to "peacefully enjoy" your accommodation (unless there is an emergency) •Agents/Landlords have the right to enter the property at reasonable times to carry out the repairs for which they are responsible and to inspect the condition and the state of repair of the property. •They must give at least 24 hours notice in writing of an inspection. It is your responsibility to set out the arrangements for access and procedures for getting repairs done in the tenancy agreement or a written arrangement. •See PRTB website for further details. You should also check that you have a key to your bedroom door. |
Discuss with your landlord prior to moving in.
You should also check that you have a key to your bedroom door. |
TV Licence
| House Rental | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| TV Licence |
Any person in occupancy at an address where a television set is held is legally responsible for the licensing of the television set regardless of ownership of either the premises or the set itself. If you want more information then please visitwww.anpost.ie. Unless your agreement states otherwise you are required to pay for a TV Licence. Even if the landlord has provided a TV set for the house, if the contract does not state otherwise the tenants are liable for payment of the licence. It is your responsibility to ensure that there is a licence for the house. Each person who watches television has a responsibility to ensure there is a valid licence. It would be very difficult for someone to assert they did not watch the TV if it is in a communal area of the house. |
Any person in occupancy at an address where a television set is held is legally responsible for the licensing of the television set regardless of ownership of either the premises or the set itself. If you want more information then please visitwww.anpost.ie. |
Visitor's/Overnight Guests
| Rental Houses | Owner Occupied/Family Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor's /Overnight Guests | The tenant is entitled to have guests but remember you are sharing space so it is important to get the agreement of other tenants. Obviously should a guest stay more than a day or two, or staying over becomes a regular event (every Thursday night), your fellow tenants and/or your landlord are likely to object. Also the landlords insurance states the number of tenants in the house and extra people staying will pose problems. |
Discuss guidelines with your landlord prior to moving in as many do not permit visitor's or overnight guests.
Some who allow overnight guests may charge. Check this with your landlord. |