With the first round of CAO points for courses being offered this week, the next test for first-time college goers, and those returning for the next academic year, will be finding adequate accommodation at reasonable prices, as rents near to third level institutions in Galway city have experienced an increase, according to the latest report from property website Daft.ie
The report published this week shows that on average rents nationwide were 0.5 per cent lower in the second quarter of 2012 than a year previously - the average advertised rent between April and June being €809 per month, this compares to €814 during the same period in 2011. However, rents in many of the country’s cities have continued to rise while falling elsewhere.
The figures show that in Connacht rents fell by 3.5 per cent on average between the second quarter of 2011 and the same period in 2012. However, in Galway city rents have risen by 0.2 per cent in the last year and the average rent is now €756. According to the report there is better value the further out you go with rents, in areas outside of the city, experiencing a fall of 3.6 per cent in the second quarter of this year and the average rent is now €547 representing a total fall from peak periods of 26 per cent.
The report shows that the cost of a double-room in parts of the country close to third-level institutions experienced small increases in the last 12 months. The average monthly rent for a double room close to NUI Galway and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT ) is now €338, a year-on-year change of 2.4 per cent while double rooms near TCD/DIT in Dublin city centre costs €499 (1.6 per cent increase ), UCD/IT Tallaght in South Dublin city €473 (0.9 per cent increase ), DCU in north Dublin city €402 (1.3 per cent increase ), and UL/Limerick IT in Limerick city centre €288 (1.4 per cent increase ).
In Galway city centre figures show: single room rent at €289 (yr/yr change of 2.1 per cent ); double room at €338 (yr/yr change of 2.4 per cent ); one bed at €652 (yr/yr change of 8.5 per cent ); two-bed at €831 (yr/yr change of 2.8 per cent ); three-bed at €1,029 (yr/yr change of 1.7 per cent ); four-bed at €1,248 (yr/yr change of 3.5 per cent ); and five-bed plus at €1,444 (yr/yr change of -3.1 per cent ).
Figures for Galway city suburbs show: Single room rent at €258(yr/yr change of -0.4 per cent ); double room at €308 (yr/yr change of 2.7 per cent ); one-bed at €574 (yr/yr change of 0.7 per cent ); two-bed at €743 (yr/yr change of -2.9 per cent ); three-bed at €877 (yr/yr change of 4.7 per cent ); four-bed at €975 (yr/yr change of 2.0 per cent ); and a five-bed plus at €1,320 (yr/yr change of -0.4 per cent ).
