Finding a place to live
Having a comfortable secure place to live is very important
Temporary housing
If you arrive in Ireland and have nowhere to live you may be able to find temporary accommodation in a hostel (www.hostels.com, www.hostelworld.com). ‘Bed and Breakfasts’ (‘B&Bs’) sometimes offer good rates. www.goldenpages.ie is a web-based phone directory where you can search under a number of categories like ‘Hostels – Tourist’ or ‘Bed & Breakfast’.
Some people have had difficulty getting a PPS number because they live in temporary accommodation. You must show proof of address to get a PPS number and not all hostels will provide you with this.
Accommodation to rent
There are a number of choices when looking for a place to live in county Limerick. You can rent from a private property owner or an estate agency.
The types of rental housing include:
It can be difficult to find accommodation in the right place and at the right price. Certain times of the year can be very difficult to find a place to live, especially where colleges and universities are reopening after the summer holidays.
How do I find a place to live?
Newspapers
A good place to start looking for a flat, apartment or house is the accommodation section of local newspapers such as the:
Look in the classified ads section – usual headings are “accommodation” or “house share”. You should make an appointment to see the flat or house and turn up early. Always look at accommodation before agreeing to rent it.
Accommodation websites
Rent Supplement
Your Local Health Offices pays a Rent Supplement to people living in private rented housing who cannot afford to pay for their own accommodation. In general, if your only income is a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment, you will qualify for a rent supplement from your Local Health Office. Not all landlord and landladies accept Rent Supplement; make sure you discuss it with them before you sign a contract. Rates vary depending on your location and type of property. Full details are available here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html#l62fd2
Rental Accommodation Scheme
If you are getting Rent Supplement for more than 18 months and you need long-term housing, you may be eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). The scheme is run by local authorities that have contracts with property owners to provide housing for people with a long-term housing need. The local authority pays the rent directly to the property owner. You contribute to your rent, but you pay this contribution to your local authority, not to the property owner. Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS):
Further information is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, including a list of RAS contacts in local authorities. Visit the website of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for more information. Also RAS - Rental Accommodation Unit in City Hall in Limerick City, Phone: 061 407246 or email: [email protected]
The RAS does not apply to:
For more information about the Rental Accommodation Scheme go to their website or visit County Hall, Dooradoyle, Limerick or you may phone 061 496 000.
Websites
Bills
Fuel Allowance
If you depend on long-term social welfare or HSE (Health Service Executive) payments you may qualify for the Fuel Allowance to help with the cost of heating your home from September to May. More information is available: on the www.citizensinformation.ie. Website and in the Welfare Supports leaflet.
Household bills
Check with your property owner if you need to set up your bills in your own name and open an account with companies such as:
To set up these accounts you will need photo ID and an Irish bank account. You may be asked to pay a deposit to the company before they set you up. You will get this back when you leave the rented accommodation.
Services you must pay for
Other services that you may need and you have to pay for include:
You can pay your bills by direct debit from your bank account or in the local post office. Some companies may insist you pay your bill by direct debit from your bank account. Check with the company first.
Owning your own property
If you are thinking of buying property you can look at the options of getting financial support. You can:
Your success in getting these loans depends on your income and financial circumstances.
Having a comfortable secure place to live is very important
Temporary housing
If you arrive in Ireland and have nowhere to live you may be able to find temporary accommodation in a hostel (www.hostels.com, www.hostelworld.com). ‘Bed and Breakfasts’ (‘B&Bs’) sometimes offer good rates. www.goldenpages.ie is a web-based phone directory where you can search under a number of categories like ‘Hostels – Tourist’ or ‘Bed & Breakfast’.
Some people have had difficulty getting a PPS number because they live in temporary accommodation. You must show proof of address to get a PPS number and not all hostels will provide you with this.
Accommodation to rent
There are a number of choices when looking for a place to live in county Limerick. You can rent from a private property owner or an estate agency.
The types of rental housing include:
- bedsit – usually one room suitable for one person;
- flat, apartment or house – for one or more people;
- house sharing; and
- lodgings – living with a family in their house.
It can be difficult to find accommodation in the right place and at the right price. Certain times of the year can be very difficult to find a place to live, especially where colleges and universities are reopening after the summer holidays.
How do I find a place to live?
Newspapers
A good place to start looking for a flat, apartment or house is the accommodation section of local newspapers such as the:
- Limerick Leader (weekly publication – every Thursday. Two editions of this paper are printed, one for the county of Limerick and the other for the City. You have to pay for this paper and you will find it in most newsagents.)
- Limerick Chronicle (weekly publication – every Tuesday. It is delivered to homes in the city district of Limerick free of charge however it is available for purchase in newsagents also.)
- Limerick Post (weekly publication – every Thursday. It is delivered to homes in the city district of Limerick free of charge however it is available for purchase in newsagents also.)
Look in the classified ads section – usual headings are “accommodation” or “house share”. You should make an appointment to see the flat or house and turn up early. Always look at accommodation before agreeing to rent it.
Accommodation websites
- www.daft.ie/limerick/
- www.let.ie
- www.myhome.ie
- www.Ireland.com/HouseHome
- www.property.ie/property-to-let/limerick/
- www.gumtree.ie
- www.donedeal.ie
Rent Supplement
Your Local Health Offices pays a Rent Supplement to people living in private rented housing who cannot afford to pay for their own accommodation. In general, if your only income is a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment, you will qualify for a rent supplement from your Local Health Office. Not all landlord and landladies accept Rent Supplement; make sure you discuss it with them before you sign a contract. Rates vary depending on your location and type of property. Full details are available here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html#l62fd2
Rental Accommodation Scheme
If you are getting Rent Supplement for more than 18 months and you need long-term housing, you may be eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). The scheme is run by local authorities that have contracts with property owners to provide housing for people with a long-term housing need. The local authority pays the rent directly to the property owner. You contribute to your rent, but you pay this contribution to your local authority, not to the property owner. Under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS):
- Local authorities pay the full rent to the landlord on behalf of the tenant
- Landlords must register tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) and the tenancies are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
- The property must meet minimum standards for private rental accommodation.
- Deposits are not required since the local authority has entered into a contract with the landlord.
Further information is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, including a list of RAS contacts in local authorities. Visit the website of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for more information. Also RAS - Rental Accommodation Unit in City Hall in Limerick City, Phone: 061 407246 or email: [email protected]
The RAS does not apply to:
- asylum seekers; or
- non-Irish nationals who do not have permission to remain in the State permanently.
For more information about the Rental Accommodation Scheme go to their website or visit County Hall, Dooradoyle, Limerick or you may phone 061 496 000.
Websites
- PRTB http://www.prtb.ie/
- Residential Tenancies Act 2004 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2004/en/act/pub/0027/
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government www.environ.ie/en/
- Rental Accommodation Unit, City Hall, Limerick http://www.limerickcity.ie/Housing/RAS-RentalAccommodationScheme/
- Rental Accommodation Unit, County Hall, Limerick http://www.lcc.ie/Housing/Rental+Accommodation+Scheme+%28RAS%29/
Bills
Fuel Allowance
If you depend on long-term social welfare or HSE (Health Service Executive) payments you may qualify for the Fuel Allowance to help with the cost of heating your home from September to May. More information is available: on the www.citizensinformation.ie. Website and in the Welfare Supports leaflet.
Household bills
Check with your property owner if you need to set up your bills in your own name and open an account with companies such as:
- the ESB– which provides electricity; and
- Bord Gais and Airtricity – which provide gas and electricity
To set up these accounts you will need photo ID and an Irish bank account. You may be asked to pay a deposit to the company before they set you up. You will get this back when you leave the rented accommodation.
Services you must pay for
Other services that you may need and you have to pay for include:
- refuse collection – you will need to set up an account with a private company such as Mr Binman or AES, (see ‘General’ leaflet);
- TV cable – private operators include Sky or UPC;
- Broadcasting charge / previously ‘TV Licence ‘(see ‘General’ leaflet);
- phone line – if there is a phone line in your accommodation you can have that connected to any phone service provider; and
- phone line installation – if there is no phone line in your house you must contact eircom (www.eircom.net) to have one installed – once installed you can use any phone service provider.
You can pay your bills by direct debit from your bank account or in the local post office. Some companies may insist you pay your bill by direct debit from your bank account. Check with the company first.
Owning your own property
If you are thinking of buying property you can look at the options of getting financial support. You can:
- apply for a mortgage (a loan to pay for property) from a financial institution such as a bank (see under General Information); or
- apply to the local council for a loan under their shared ownership scheme.
Your success in getting these loans depends on your income and financial circumstances.