Here’s what €650 monthly rent will get you in Dublin right now

I’ve been writing property articles on Image.ie for a while now. I regularly scour property sites to see what’s on offer; at what price-point and in what condition. Most recently, I wondered about the affordability of rental homes in the capital. Given recent news headlines about rising rental costs and homelessness, I wasn’t optimistic. According to a report by Daft.ie, rents in Dublin have risen by 87% over the last 10 years. What’s more, they’re currently 30% higher than they were at the peak of the Celtic Tiger.

Related: These apartments are the reason I still live with my parents 

A thorough search online taught me there are no properties available to rent in all of county Dublin for less than €650 a month. That includes houses on the outskirts; miles from the city centre. There are three places available to rent for €650, but these are studios and aren’t suitable for family living. For example, this studio at 9 Watermill Grove, Oldbawn, is specifically advertised for a single person. Located in a quiet cul-de-sac, it’s in turn-key condition (though the renter must climb a ladder to get into bed).

Photo: Monica S. via Property.iePhoto: Monica S. via Property.iePhoto: Monica S. via Property.ie

The only place without a bedroom-cum-kitchen for less than €900 is on St Anthony’s Road, Rialto. Located in a period building at €810 per month, this one-bedroom apartment comes fully furnished and is within a few minutes walk of the nearest Luas stop. With double glazed windows, a modern kitchen and shower room, it would make a comfortable home for a single person or couple.

Photo: O’Connor Shannon via Daft.iePhoto: O’Connor Shannon via Daft.iePhoto: O’Connor Shannon via Daft.ie

If it’s a house you’re looking for (with more than one bedroom), the lowest price you’ll find is this bungalow in Rush. At €1,300 per month, this well-maintained house at 3 Old Hayestown has off-street parking and is located near schools and shops. With two double bedrooms and one single, it would make a lovely family home; though it could suit young professionals sharing too.

Photo: DNG McKenna Healy via Daft.iePhoto: DNG McKenna Healy via Daft.iePhoto: DNG McKenna Healy via Daft.ie

There are more affordable places to rent throughout the county if you’re willing to share with strangers, but nobody should have to do that. It’s a sad state of affairs when a person can’t rent a home of their own alone. That being said, we have little choice. There isn’t enough (affordable) supply to meet demand. In order to increase supply, Dublin City Council says it’s time to build houses in industrial estates. According to BreakingNews.ie, Brendan Kenny, head of housing at DCC said, “A very significant amount of houses, thousands of units, could be built on these but it won’t be as simple as that. The land is owned by private owners, so it won’t be easy to pull all this together.”

Complicated as it may be, something needs to be done; and urgently. People are getting desperate.

Why is everywhere to rent in Dublin like 1000 a month for half a bunk bed ?!?!?

— Hana (@HanaMcKeown) August 9, 2018

Sorting out my accommodation for Spain and turns out I can get an entire 3 bedroom flat to myself for the same rent I payed to share a room in Dublin !! ANGRY !

— Tara (@fitzgibbon_tara) August 1, 2018

Rent in Dublin is an absolute joke- I pay €550 a month to live in a room that’s the width of a single bed and my landlord just said we’re getting a 4% rent increase hAHhaAha

— Z O E (@aldi_cans) August 11, 2018

Perhaps living with my parents isn’t so bad after all.

More like this: 

• House hunting in Dublin 4: May the odds (and the real estate agents) be ever in your favour… click here.
• These apartments are the reason I still live with my parents… click here.

Photo: Jose Alonso via Unsplash