Galway students urged to stay calm in accommodation crisis
Students have been told to ‘be patient’ as the race for rented accommodation in Galway gets underway following the publication of CAO offers on Monday.
Points for many courses at NUI Galway and GMIT increased this year proving Galway is as popular as ever with third level students, which is reflected in the scramble for student accommodation.
Enda McGuane, managing director at Winters Property Management, says dedicated student properties have already been ‘snapped up’ in Galway by returning second and third years, as well as young professionals.
First years are the big losers so far – the biggest property management company in the west says rental housing stock in Galway is down 50% this year as young professionals remain on in properties normally associated with students.
Demand for student accommodation in the student village of Gort Na Coiribe in the city sold out in seven hours in February for the forthcoming year.
But Mr McGuane says first years shouldn’t panic, as more properties will come on stream in September.
Mr McGuane said: “The limited number of new construction projects, the upturn in the economy, the increase in student numbers, which is up 18% since 2008, a significant increase in demand for professional lettings due to growing employment numbers, as well as growing city populations across Ireland and an increase in demand for social housing, all combine to create a student rental market at crisis point. It is the perfect storm.
“Ultimately the people most affected or those who will lose out will be the students getting their exam results this week. My advice to first years and their parents is – don’t panic. Some lettings will open up over the next few weeks as summer rentals end and September leases begin.”
Student leaders say this year could be the worst in terms of a shortage of places.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.