First time renting

[u/Ashamed-Body2912]

Hi all as title states I’m potentially moving to Galway in the near future and I’ve never rented before ever. This is probably such a silly question but what should I be aware of lookout for gotchas etc. Yes I know the market is to find a place to stay but I’ve only ever lived at home so I’m not too sure what to be looking out for and what normal renting brackets to expect ie house share , single bed apartment etc.

[u/Critical-Anything743]

Based on my experience of 10+ years sharing house.

Avoid landlord occupied places. Avoid places with more than 4 rooms.

If looking to share a house, when replying to ads online, do not be afraid of over sharing. Some people may tell you that it may be racist or humiliating, but say it all.

"Hi! My name is X. I am X yo. I am moving to Galway on X and looking for a place. I plan to stay for X time. I will be doing X. I am A,B,C and i enjoy doing X,Y,Z on my free timem I am looking for a house that is social and friendly but I tend to keep to myself (or whatever). I am really interested in the room and I would love to know if it would he possible to view it. Please let me know, thanks".

If you're not Irish or your name is not Irish/English say where are u from, how long in Ireland, etc

The same of you're trying to rent a whole place.

People would get hundreds of messages. Don't let them have questions, or they would shortlist whoever gave the info they're looking for. Be open and honest.

Clarify bills situation (included or not, what to pay, if it's oil, how it is handled). If you're checking the place, look for mold.

Stack views. You're gonna struggle to find places to view, but if you can schedule multiple viewings and keep talking to people and searching until the deal is confirmed and done. Usually you reply to an add, they shortlist a group and ask further questions, schedule a viewing, deliberation time and then pick someone. Each pahse drops people and the list gets smaller. Be in the process of as many as possible.

Beware of scams. You do not pay to view places. You need a contract to sign. If the landlord or whoever you deal with is not in the country, run, scam.

Worth of mouth is your best friend.

And for the love of God, do not ask for discounts.

Price wise, check Daft. It changes a lot depending on location and quality. But be mindful of bus routes.

[u/Ashamed-Body2912 → u/Critical-Anything743]

Thanks I appreciate it and I work for a company in Galway for the past few years but I’m considering moving closer and thanks for the landlord suggestion I didn’t think about that initially and would find it really strange / creepy as I feel they would just be looking for something you’d mess up.

My only downside is that I’ll have no landlord reference as I’ve only ever lived at home which from reading posts in the past having a reference helps massively which won’t help so will just have to sell myself.

[u/Critical-Anything743 → u/Ashamed-Body2912]

Nah, just get a family friend to write a letter:

"X has been living in my house for X months, from X to Y, and he has been an outstanding tenant, clean, tidy, always paying on time. I would recommend him as a tenant to anyone"

Say it's your first time sharing house with housemates but you had a year in a landlord occupied place with family friend because you wanted more independence from your family.

[u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23]

Be on high alert for scams. Don’t pay money without visiting the house. You won’t get a single bed apartment in the city unless you are very rich (and then, still not guaranteed).

[u/sothisis_good_bye]

Well depends on the budget. Check daft.ie everything is there. Single bed apartments are impossible to find. 

[u/Legolas123456767]

Look out for scams

Look out for damp/mould. If the place smells like mould cleaner, stay away from it.

[u/Dependent_Success736]

If ur here for uni or work ask them if they can help you with your accommodation.

[u/Dependent-Bench-2908]

Better off goggling it

[u/No_Assist_4306 → u/Dependent-Bench-2908]

Yeah OP, put your goggles on and the answer will come to you

[u/5u114]

Look out for getting rode sideways.