News that student accommodation provider, Hubble Living, would not be going ahead with its planned 30 per cent increase of fees for the 2024/2025 academic year has been welcomed by University of Galway’s Students Union.
The current costs of accommodation with Hubble Living vary, depending on room type and whether it has an ensuite. Current tenants pay rates ranging from €6,163 to €8,484 for nine months, and have the option of choosing a single, twin and deluxe room.
Under the proposed rent increase the only options available from the 2024/2025 academic year would be ‘deluxe rooms’ at €10,070, and ‘deluxe ensuite’ for €11,045 for 39 weeks. Hubble Living’s price increase was expected to take place following planned renovation works on room in the complex.
With current ‘deluxe ensuite’ tenants in Hubble Living’s Headford Road building facing a ‘minimum yearly increase of €2,500’ for the next academic year, the news that the increase will be cancelled has been warmly welcome. University of Galway’s Student Union President, Dean Kenny described the company’s decision to cancel the price hike as ‘common sense’ prevailing.
“I’m delighted that common sense has prevailed and the overwhelming public pressure put on Hubble Living has resulted in them deciding not to go ahead with their scandalous price increase that they had intended.
“Real questions must now be asked about how they were allowed to start this process, and the fact they would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for all the noise we made, alongside local representatives, TDs, Ministers, and of course the residents of Hubble who were instrumental in getting this overturned.
“Students won’t take rent increases like this lying down, and they’ve shown this clearly with their actions to achieve this rent hike reversal.”
In an email received by residents this week, Hubble Living said that following ‘feedback’ they would not be proceeding with renovation works on rooms in the complex. The email linked to a room booking link with updated room rates.
With the nation facing the worst housing emergency in history, Galway’s students are currently paying some of the highest costs in Europe for accommodation. According to expert auditors, Deloitte, the price of Galway’s monthly rents by sqm is the eighth highest in Europe, ahead of cities like Madrid, Copenhagen, Berlin and Munich.
As a consequence, the announcement in February this year that Hubble Living planned to increase its rates for the upcoming academic term, was met with shock and anger by tenants and student bodies alike.
The Students’ Union had been vocal in their opposition to the rent increase circulating petitions, raising the issue in the media and lobbying politicians.
