Renting and working part-time

The Black Oil

Hi,

I'm working part-time at the moment, living at home. I've read the sticky at the top of the forum. I'm trying to figure out what my options are re renting in Dublin. Renting with friends is out they're not based here. The other thing is I don't have prior experience, so I've no landlord references to bring to the table. I've asked my employer for a letter to show I've been working there for the last couple of years. What else can I do on the references issue?

I'd prefer to live alone, ideally. Looking online 800-900 tends to be the figure which comes up most often, sometimes a little lower or higher. That'd be most of my salary, though. And without bills, food, etc. Well... Also, reading around some people being asked for bank statements or payslips. What's the story there? I'm not a careless person when it comes to money or finances. I have been looking online mostly around Drumcondra as it'd be closer to work compared to where I am now (Fingal). That, or the 46A/145 bus route. It's perhaps unrealistic to think I can rent alone on my current salary. There's occasionally something that pops up for 545-600, or more so in the 700 range. Generally not seeing anything in the 5-600 range from letting agents, more so John or Mary on daft.ie. I guess sharing should be a consideration too, it'd keep a cost down. I'm not sure how to approach it given my lack of references (going by some ads) or in general. Either that or find a full-time job. Or second part-time one. I like my current one a lot.

Any thoughts are welcome, thanks.

Michael D Not Higgins

It's likely you can't afford to rent on your own. A work reference is usually sufficient in a lot of shared accommodation. Everyone has to start somewhere without a landlord reference and they most start in shared accommodation.

MarkAnthony

Sharing is going to be your best bet in terms of cost and references. The only issue there is that a PT worker will be off putting for some as it means you'll be around more.

Banks statements are asked for by some LLs to verify information. You can refuse to give them, of course. However it's best to just avoid those viewings entirely if you're not comfortable with giving that information as the LL is unlikely to relent.

The Black Oil

Thanks for the posts.

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Sharing is going to be your best bet in terms of cost and references.

Seems like it, yeah.

The only issue there is that a PT worker will be off putting for some as it means you'll be around more.

Understandable, but PT status is not necessarily a red flag on its own, or is it?

Banks statements are asked for by some LLs to verify information. You can refuse to give them, of course. However it's best to just avoid those viewings entirely if you're not comfortable with giving that information as the LL is unlikely to relent.

Are they merely looking to see them, or do they want a copy to hold onto?

SarahMollie

Renting on your own isnt really possible IMO so you need to get your head around sharing. Its not just the rent, but all the bills too. This could easily be €1k+.

I've shown screen shots of my bank statement before, no issues. However all agents are different, and theres no "standard" - technically they can ask for what they want, and its up to you if you want the place badly enough.

Many moons ago when I was last house sharing, I would have been put off by part time workers, shift workers and people from Dublin (I know, the hypocrisy!). I wouldnt have wanted someone who is going to be home all the time, its nice to have the place to yourself sometimes. Also, ppl from outside Dublin tend to go home the odd weekend so its nice to have the place to yourself. Shift workers can mean being woken up at odd hours and also potentially higher bills.

I think these are the classics that people don't tend to want in a potential housemate and unfortunately you've got (at least) 2 out of 3.

MarkAnthony

PT isn't necessarily a red flag but ideally you'd want to be studying or something with it.

Generally LLs only want sight of these things, rather than keeping them. For sharing I can't imagine why they'd even be asked for.

Mrs OBumble

Why are you only working part time? Is there potential for getting more hours in the current job? What about a 2nd job?

Have you done a budget that includes the following? You need to think about all these things, not just rent.

Rent
Telephone
Food
Transport (even if you use a bicycle, budget for repairs and maintenance. If you walk everywhere, budget extra for shoes)
Power / gas
Water charges (on your own would be approx 200 per year I think - suspended for now, but they'll be back)

Clothing and footwear (do some rough estimates of how many items you buy each month and average cost - it will be more than you think)
Contents insurance (budget 150 per year, likely to be a bit less)
TV / Sky (if it's a priority for you)
Going out / socialising
Sports fees / club memberships / magazines - whatever you do for recreation
Holidays (if you go on any - maybe you don't)
Family / presents (even if your family does cheap gifts, N people x 2 (birthday, christmas) starts to get big in a year, can easily spend 200 in a year)
Health insurance or doctors visits (if you're 20-something and very health, just assume 200 per year for a couple of GP visits and a prescription)

Saving / pension (I guess you don't have these if you'e young)