Church Sponsored Student Residence

MagicMarker

Just got this Daft.ie email alert...

http://www.daft.ie/searchsharing.daft?id=684934

Property Description:
Church Sponsored Student Residence. 6 single bedrooms available in a semi-detached house in South Hill. Shared facilities and common areas. Utilities shared equally between residents. Close to Green Luas line, many bus routes to TCD, UCD, DIT, NCAD etc. To view a brochure and obtain an application form go to www.methodistcentenary.ie. Equiries by email please. Places will be allocated on/after August 20th. Rooms differ in size and price.

Now, call me crazy but when I see the word "sponsored", I assume the residence is going to be funded, at least partly, by the church in order to give some less than fortunate people a good deal on some student accommodation. But in this case I see a church that doesn't appear to be working in association with any educational institution, just renting out your average house that's probably been converted from a standard 3 or 4 bed semi into a 6 bedroomed house, taking in a total rent of €2240 per month. Now I'm no expert on the property market, but I'd say there's a bit of profit being made here.

Also, to apply one needs 2 references, one of which should be from your "religious leader". But apparently they are accepting of all faiths.

How exactly is this church "sponsored"?

Anyway, I thought it was odd so figured I'd post it here so people could comment.

fitz0

It's a fairly straight up deal, they seem pretty upfront on the whole thing. The first one, Wesley House, doesn't allow for alcohol and overnight guests but there's no such rules for the 2nd year and above house. Everything is presented up front on the leaflets, including the visits from a church group.

Since it's all spelled out and applicants know what to expect, I have no problem with this whatsoever. In fact, it's a good way for them to fund their church without relying on donations that doesn't inconvenience any uninvolved parties. The rent is reasonable too, given that it includes bills. It's not my cup of tea though so I'll steer clear.

MagicMarker

I don't think they're trying to hide anything here. What I found odd is solely the use of the work sponsored, if you're offering a service to make a profit and fund your church, then how is that sponsoring?

Also, I like to think of the value I'm getting, and in this case I wouldn't call the rent reasonable tbh.

PopePalpatine

I derp'd when I read the thread title - I thought it said "resistance", not "residence".

fitz0

MagicMarker wrote: »

I don't think they're trying to hide anything here. What I found odd is solely the use of the work sponsored, if you're offering a service to make a profit and fund your church, then how is that sponsoring?

Also, I like to think of the value I'm getting, and in this case I wouldn't call the rent reasonable tbh.

Under €100 a week? I'd call that reasonable. I pay more than that in Phibsborough. But, yes, I'd agree that there doesn't seem to be any sponsorship beyond ownership. I assume that even churches aren't exempt from rent income taxes?

MagicMarker

fitz0 wrote: »

Under €100 a week? I'd call that reasonable. I pay more than that in Phibsborough. But, yes, I'd agree that there doesn't seem to be any sponsorship beyond ownership. I assume that even churches aren't exempt from rent income taxes?

Not sure on the taxes, but today I went to see a modern apartment that was closer to the city centre, had half as many people living in it and wasn't decorated by my nan for less than €100 per week.

Blowfish

MagicMarker wrote: »

I don't think they're trying to hide anything here. What I found odd is solely the use of the work sponsored, if you're offering a service to make a profit and fund your church, then how is that sponsoring?

They could mean that the accomodation is actually sponsoring the church.

seantorious

Its not exactly considerably cheaper for something that sponsored. Maybe sponsored means spiritual rather than financial.

the_syco

fitz0 wrote: »

Under €100 a week? I'd call that reasonable. I pay more than that in Phibsborough. But, yes, I'd agree that there doesn't seem to be any sponsorship beyond ownership. I assume that even churches aren't exempt from rent income taxes?

For €320 to €400 a month, with a €600 month deposit?
Room3|€320 per month
Room4|€350 per month
Room 2|€370 per month
Room 1, 5, 6|€400 per month

Smoking (anything) is banned, but it seems drink is okay.

FAITH and DENOMINATION

Could you claim religious discrimination if you didn't get it :P

MarkHitide

€2240 pm?

wonderfulname

Tut tut, a religious organisation discriminating against those on rent allowance...

It's standard pricing for the low end of the student market in Dublin, probably just profiteering on some parents unwillingness to let their children grow up.

Miss Lockhart

There's a student residence run by Opus Dei in Clonskeagh. They charge €165 - €205 per week. Includes meals, laundry, bills etc.

They take people of "all creeds" - I don't know if that includes no faith though.

So long as they are up front about everything I can't see much problem with it but the thoughts of living with any kind of Opus Dei connection scares me.

fitz0

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

There's a student residence run by Opus Dei in Clonskeagh. They charge €165 - €205 per week. Includes meals, laundry, bills etc.

Self-flagellation optional?

PopePalpatine

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

So long as they are up front about everything I can't see much problem with it but the thoughts of living with any kind of Opus Dei connection scares me.

If you have any books by Dan Brown I'd suggest you leave them at your parents' house, just to be safe.

jhegarty

wonderfulname wrote: »

Tut tut, a religious organisation discriminating against those on rent allowance...

It's standard pricing for the low end of the student market in Dublin, probably just profiteering on some parents unwillingness to let their children grow up.

How can it be standard pricing and profiteering ?

MarkHitide

fitz0 wrote: »

Self-flagellation optional?

At that price I'd want the 'self' taken out of 'self-flagellation'-

wonderfulname

jhegarty wrote: »

How can it be standard pricing and profiteering ?

Standard pricing for a room for a student x 6 = a hell of a lot more than the true rental value of the property.

fitz0

Broadstone Hall in Phibsboro, where I used to live was about 135 a week all in for a 5bed apartment. This place is a whole lot cheaper than that.

recedite

MagicMarker wrote: »

What I found odd is solely the use of the work sponsored, if you're offering a service to make a profit and fund your church, then how is that sponsoring?
Also, I like to think of the value I'm getting, and in this case I wouldn't call the rent reasonable tbh.

"Church Sponsored" in this case can be taken to mean "approved, inspected and monitored"by the Methodist church.
If I was a Methodist farmer from somewhere down the country, and my darling daughter had just finished as a boarder in Wesley College, and was looking for college accommadation, I'd gladly pay over the odds for this place. Only nice people will be let in, no drunken drug fuelled orgies to worry about, and sure isn't the money going to a good cause anyway

Tonyandthewhale

fitz0 wrote: »

Broadstone Hall in Phibsboro, where I used to live was about 135 a week all in for a 5bed apartment. This place is a whole lot cheaper than that.

That's a lot.