There’s no doubt about it, renting in Ireland is a nightmare. Limited supply, overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions and prohibitive prices are just some of the challenges faced by Generation Rent in Ireland today.
Despite hollow promises from the government over the years to do more to protect tenants, the situation has not improved one bit, and tenants across the country are taking to social media to express their dissatisfaction, disbelief and deepening frustration with a system designed to keep them from ever owning a home of their own.
Twitter user Claire Foley, for example, expressed her outrage at one property charging €300 a month to share a bed in Dublin 8, calling it “a new low for renting in Dublin”.
A new low for renting in #dublin – a shared bed for €300 per month #Dublinhomeless pic.twitter.com/lE1xRo7xN4
— Claire Foley (@Clairefol) December 21, 2016
But cramming multiple people into small spaces is only part of the problem. Many of the properties available are also in atrocious condition. Highlighting the dingy, damp and disgusting places tenants are often forced to accept due to the lack of better options, another Twitter user posted “the things I don’t miss about renting in Dublin”
Things I don’t miss about renting in Dublin: pic.twitter.com/PvPNEnWMA7
— tina (@tinerthewiener) October 29, 2020
Over on Reddit, some users are highlighting how the tenuous rental situation is spreading from Dublin into other parts of the country, with one user pointing out how “renting in Cork is becoming just as ridiculous as renting in Dublin these days”. It’s better to use a rental company review website before signing a costly lease.
Some content is more tongue-in-cheek and, to be sure, many people often turn to comedy to alleviate stress but, if anything, these posts further drive home the ridiculousness of renting in Ireland.
And no post has more accurately portrayed the frustration (and tears) that come with trying to find an affordable, half decent place to live in Ireland than this Reddit user.
Been there, my friend, been there. We were also recently looking for a letting agent that had great reviews in Bristol and we found those, we always recommend checking reviews thoroughly as it’s the best way to get the best information on letting agents.
Do you have any crazy stories about renting in Ireland? Let us know in the comments below!