For many students, attending college also involves living away from home for the first time and so careful thought and decisions are needed when choosing what will be your home away from home.
Where to Search for Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation at MIC, there are two main choices:
- Purpose-Built Student Accommodation
- Private Accommodation.
For more information on these choices, view the accommodation section on the MIC Website Here.
MISU also facilitates a Facebook Accommodation Group where MIC students can search for and advertise available rooms and properties.
Students can also search for private accommodation near MIC on the Mary Immaculate College page on daft.ie or by filtering location to Limerick City, Thurles and surrounding areas on Rent.ie. Be sure to search both the 'rent' and 'share' properties.
Information About On-Campus Accommodation
Courtbrack Accommodation (Limerick) is run by MIC Accommodation Office and is located just outside MIC Limerick.
On-Campus Residence is available in MIC Thurles and this is also run by MIC Accommodation Office.
Email: Accommodation@mic.ul.ie
Telephone: 061-302500
Information About Off-Campus Accommodation
In Limerick, for MIC Students, the main purpose built student accommodation complexes are:
Information About Owner-Occupied / Digs Accommodation
What Are Digs?
Digs, or owner-occupied accommodation is an arrangement where a student lives with a homeowner or family during term-time, providing a more affordable option than renting an apartment or private house. These arrangements generally offer fewer rights to occupants than a standard tenancy, for example only staying in the home on weeknights. For this reason it's important to establish strong terms with the landlord before moving in.
Learn About Your Accommodation Rights
Avoid Rental Scams
Typically when applying for accommodation, you'll be asked for personal details, like your name, contact information and identification. In many cases private landlords will ask for references from previous tenancies, though employment references will sometimes be accepted in the case of first years.
If a landlord or agent won't allow you to view the property before moving in, this is generally a red flag and it's advisable not to continue with your application.
In a similar way, scammers will often create a false sense of urgency, pressuring you to make a decision or payment without time to think. If you don't recieve a lease agreement in writing, this is also a sign to back away.
Landlords should also be willing to provide identification and verifiable contact information, poor or unprofessional communication may be a sign of a scam. Unconventional payment methods like Revolut or cash can also be red flags.
A prospective landlord or agent can ask you to provide any of the following items when considering you as a tenant:
- PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
- A reference from your previous landlord
- A reference from your current employer
- Photo I.D. such as a driving license or passport
- Evidence of residency
- Recent bank statements
- Payslips