Mayo students in accommodation scramble

MAYO students planned to head to third level colleges in Galway have been told to ‘be patient’ as the race for rented accommodation in the city is intensifying in the aftermath of the publication of CAO offers.

Points for many courses at NUI Galway and GMIT increased this year and this 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.

But Mr. McGuane said first years shouldn’t panic, as more properties will come on stream in September.

He stated: '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.'

But student leaders say this year could be the worst in terms of a shortage of places.