Requesting landlord to retain room for me.

Solomon Pleasant

I'm looking for some advice regarding a request I have for my landlord.

Next year I will be studying abroad, meaning that I won't require accommodation in Dublin. However the system in the country which I will be studying in is structured quite differently in terms of when the academic year begins and ends.

In short, I would have about 3 weeks to find accommodation in Dublin for my final year of college after returning from my year abroad. This isn't enough time and commuting isn't possible given where I'm from. I plan to ask my current landlord to reserve my room next year while I'm abroad so that I have accommodation guaranteed for my final year of university. I would obviously pay the rent on the room while I am abroad but not actually physically ever be in the room (as I'd be abroad obviously).

Is this an unreasonable request to make? Would the landlord refuse me? The rent would still be paid and I am never late or short when paying rent and I have never caused any issues as a tenant. Is there any chance of the landlord taking advantage of my position or should I be relatively sure that this will work? (if my landlord agrees to it).

Thank you very much for any advice and help!

B-D-P--

Sooo. Your just renting as normal...
Why would there be an issue if your not in it.
Landlord still gets what he wants and actually there is less wear and tear on the room.

I wouldnt foresee a problem.

Dont bring it to him as an issue, just say I'll be away for a while but will still be renting the room.

sbsquarepants

Problem?

You sound like the dream tenant. Pays rent, but not there.
You can rent my house if you like:D

Cathmandooo

Are you renting a room in the landlord's home?

CIARAN_BOYLE

If you are willing to pay the rent as normal I'm sure the landlord would be delighted to do this for you. However some property insurance have terms that the property isn't covered for certain types of damage if the property is vacant so I would be sure to run this by the landlord before you move out for the year.

Solomon Pleasant

Cathmandooo wrote: »

Are you renting a room in the landlord's home?

No it's not his own home, he just rents the house out to (mostly) students.

Solomon Pleasant

Thank you all for your inputs. Would be good if I didn't have to pay rent on a room for a year that I won't be using, however given the current housing situation in Dublin I don't have a lot of choice.

mickdw

Sounds like absolute madness to me.
What will you have spent on rent over the non use period?
How long will you be staying once you return?
Sounds like you have other options besides paying for an empty room.

Cathmandooo

I'd sit down with the landlord, explain your plan, tell him you will definitely be back in Sept 2018 for your final academic year and would love your room back then. He might be delighted to have someone he already knows and trusts ear marked down for the room. I wouldn't be volunteering paying rent for a year for a room you won't be using. It guarantees you nothing but a lower bank balance.

Tiddlypeeps

Solomon Pleasant wrote: »

Thank you all for your inputs. Would be good if I didn't have to pay rent on a room for a year that I won't be using, however given the current housing situation in Dublin I don't have a lot of choice.

Your plan is essentially doubling your rent for the second year, as you are paying for a year you won't use in order to ensure your place for the second. Your rent could at the moment be so cheap that it's worth it, but you should probably do a search to see what the market is like for that price range and you might find there are more options.

You also can't ignore the possibility the landlord will up the rent in the second year making it unaffordable meaning you have wasted a years worth of rent for no reason.

Without numbers it's impossible to say, but unless you have really cheap rent at the moment it's probably not going to be worth it.

Solomon Pleasant

Cathmandooo wrote: »

I'd sit down with the landlord, explain your plan, tell him you will definitely be back in Sept 2018 for your final academic year and would love your room back then. He might be delighted to have someone he already knows and trusts ear marked down for the room. I wouldn't be volunteering paying rent for a year for a room you won't be using. It guarantees you nothing but a lower bank balance.

This is all well and good but he will easily fill the room for the year that I am abroad and there is a problem if the tenant who replaces me wants to stay. I could request that he offers the room on a one year contract but it sounds difficult and as a student I'm not really in a position where I can make these demands. The landlord holds the power, in my opinion.

Mrs OBumble

Your housemates may not be keen on the idea though, if it means they have to pay a higher share of the utilities.

How are the electricity etc bills handled?

Will you be coming back and using the room for occasional holidays etc?

Solomon Pleasant

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Your housemates may not be keen on the idea though, if it means they have to pay a higher share of the utilities.

How are the electricity etc bills handled?

Will you be coming back and using the room for occasional holidays etc?

Electricity is calculated per room so each person pays covers their own and the landlord covers the rest of the house so I can't see an issue occurring there. Internet connection is also covered by the landlord.

No I wouldn't imagine so, anytime time I come back to Ireland it'll be back home to my family and not Dublin!

Solomon Pleasant

mickdw wrote: »

Sounds like absolute madness to me.
What will you have spent on rent over the non use period?
How long will you be staying once you return?
Sounds like you have other options besides paying for an empty room.

Altogether it will cost me 5400€ for the year that I am abroad.

I'll be using it for my final year of college and possibly after I graduate.

It may well sound like madness but I'll only have 3 weeks after I return to find accommodation in Dublin. That's not an easy task, particularly when you throw the fact I'm a student into the equation. 4th year will be tough and I need the guarantee of somewhere solid to live and study effectively.

blindside88

I think you would be mad op. As has been stated there is nothing stopping the landlord turfing you out at the end of the year/ rising the price next year meaning you have lost the money. Would it be posssible to fly home for a weekend a month or 2 before you finish up abroad and have viewings arranged. Realistically you could offer up to €10800 for somewhere in the second year and still be no worse off.

I would approach the landlord and tell him you will be gone for the year but would like the room next year. Maybe offer to pay €100 a month over the current rent for the final year for the inconvenience, you'd still save thousands of euros

Solomon Pleasant

blindside88 wrote: »

I think you would be mad op. As has been stated there is nothing stopping the landlord turfing you out at the end of the year/ rising the price next year meaning you have lost the money. Would it be posssible to fly home for a weekend a month or 2 before you finish up abroad and have viewings arranged. Realistically you could offer up to €10800 for somewhere in the second year and still be no worse off.

I would approach the landlord and tell him you will be gone for the year but would like the room next year. Maybe offer to pay €100 a month over the current rent for the final year for the inconvenience, you'd still save thousands of euros

The landlord turfing me out or raising the price was what I was referring to in my original post in terms of being taken advantage of due to my position. And yes I see your point. Flying home to view possible rooms would not be ideal for a number of reasons. First of all there's no guarantee I would actually get any of the places I go to view. Secondly, I viewed places all over Dublin last summer and it's horribly difficult to get somewhere to live, especially as a student. Getting accommodation sorted is head wrecking stuff and it's an issue I do want to worry about particularly for 4th year as I know it'll be intense. I also really like where I live now and would be disappointed to lose it as it's very close to my university.

I could do as you say and offer an extra 100 euro per month in final year for the inconvenience but there's no guarantee of him actually giving me the room in 4th year and I could be screwed over. I should mention that there is a policy that they do give tenants first choice on the room for the next year, so by me not taking the room it would leave me at a disadvantage unless I agree differently with the landlord. I view paying for the room while abroad as my safest and most secure option which is why I would be inclined to opt for that option.

blindside88

I would definitely have a word with the landlord first and see what options he gives. Don't offer to pay for the year straight away and see what he comes back with. As I've said you can effectively afford to pay double the rent in 4th year so even though the market is tight you will have huge negotiating power

Cathmandooo

Any of your housemates starting their final year next year? You could take their room if so. You're just not guaranteed the room even if you pay the rent for the coming year. The landlord increasing the rent is the least of your worries. He could sell up and keep your rent for an empty room. He could rent out the room and earn double for the year and keep the tenant on. Your house mates could rent out the room and pocket the money and keep the tenant on. The locks could be changed when you get back and all knowledge of you denied. If any of those things happen you'll be more screwed starting a search from scratch so late by the time you find out and be down all that money. It's just too risky imo. That years rent will more than cover accommodation while in limbo finding somewhere to stay if you can't line something up in advance.

Solomon Pleasant

Cathmandooo wrote: »

Any of your housemates starting their final year next year? You could take their room if so. You're just not guaranteed the room even if you pay the rent for the coming year. The landlord increasing the rent is the least of your worries. He could sell up and keep your rent for an empty room. He could rent out the room and earn double for the year and keep the tenant on. Your house mates could rent out the room and pocket the money and keep the tenant on. The locks could be changed when you get back and all knowledge of you denied. If any of those things happen you'll be more screwed starting a search from scratch so late by the time you find out and be down all that money. It's just too risky imo. That years rent will more than cover accommodation while in limbo finding somewhere to stay if you can't line something up in advance.

I'm not sure if he could deny all knowledge of me because there would be a lease signed between us, wouldn't that be sufficient? Unfortunately none of them are going into their 4th year so that's not an option. I understand that it's not guaranteed but I would be hopeful that it would be there for me if i pay the rent and haven't caused issues and have a lease to back it up. Should I ask the landlord for a 2 year lease? One year for while I'm abroad and one for when I'm back in Dublin for my final year? I understand where you're coming from but organizing accommodation in advance is not something which appeals to me at all.

Cathmandooo

Ask your landlord for a room for your final year first, then go for your suggestion. Best of luck with it!

cazzer22

Paying rent for an entire year and not living there is INSANE. I would begin looking and fly home for viewings or even get friends to go looking on your behalf. You would save almost 6 grand. The housing situation in Dublin is madness but you could nearly stay in a hotel or BnB if you don't have any luck for a week or two and still save ALL your money. I honestly couldn't justify renting a place for a year just to have it ready?
If you've been a good tenant, explain your situation and hopefully your landlord can come to an agreement with you.

Browney7

Op, you can airbnb a room for a few weeks in Dublin when you get back and look solidly for somewhere. You'd get a room on airbnb for 50 a night no bother.

bmwguy

Insane plan OP. If you can afford this, put the 5400 into a bank account. When you are back, use this 5,400 to outbid other renters by offering an extra 100/200 a month to secure the place you want. Do this and I guarantee you will get a place.
I'll even rent you a room in my house, you sound like a good tenant!

Oh, and you will still have at least 3 grand of that 5400 left.

Best advice would be to try to just get a place you like, and only outbid if you really have to.

What you are suggesting is madness not to mention denying someone who needs it a room for a year. Although you could possibly sublet it to someone you know?

mel123

3 weeks to find somewhere to live is in my option loads of time, because it seems you are fine with a house share, and there is plenty of these that i can see.
If, if, you dont find somewhere, stay in a hotel for a while, it will still be a damn lot cheaper than paying someone rent when you are not even there.

*or ask the LL if you can sublet your room

ibarelycare

Save the €5400 and use it to your advantage when you get back. Put yourself ahead of the curve by offering to pay 3/4 months up front. Or, as others have said, use some of it to pay for temporary accommodation if you don't find somewhere to live in the time you have. Throwing away that kind of money is madness.

bucketybuck

For €5400 you could stay in a fancy hotel for a few months when you got back if you wanted more time than 3 weeks for searching.

Or it could get you a far better room next year in a price range out of other peoples budgets.

Or you could spend it on hookers and blow and still get a room somewhere next year after a week of searching.

In other words, paying a years rent in Dublin when you aren't even in the country is a crazy waste of money and you would be mad to do so.

Solomon Pleasant

You have all made solid points and I thank you for your input.

Flying home is not a great option in my view simply because it costs money and takes up a lot of time which I could use to study, particularly towards the end of the year. I don't thinking requesting that friends go seeking accommodation for me is an option either - I wouldn't appreciate someone asking me to do it for them, unless we were immediate family.

One of my main fears is actually finding somewhere to live. It's ridiculously difficult in Dublin and even more so as a student. Landlords do not want to rent to students. I'm a long way from the stereotypical student but there's no way a landlord will know that (bar maybe a reference) or that a landlord would even consider renting to a student. What if I land back 3 weeks before the start of my final year (and I want to perform well from the very beginning to get a good degree grade) and struggle to find somewhere suitable for months? Extreme as that may sound, there is a housing crisis in Dublin and students are prime victims. At the moment I have somewhere suitable to live which is close to college and where the rent is reasonable enough considering the current situation. Renting for the year I am abroad is very costly I agree but it offers me security and the promise of a good base for my final year.

I have also read and heard about scams when it comes to accommodation in Dublin which is something I'm somewhat apprehensive about.

Are my fears completely unfounded? The majority of the people replying are stating that I'm mad to pay for the room while not using it. Does any of the above resonate with any of you? Or are you still convinced that I should take my chances, hope I get lucky and find something somewhat decent when I return to Dublin after being abroad?

Thanks for the replies again, very helpful and informative!

Caliden

OP I understand completely what you're saying given the current rental market.

It's not a far fetched plan given the lack of rental properties and I doubt many of the previous posters have had to look for rental accommodation as a student in the past 2 years.

Having a job (permanent/part time) makes the task much easier when it comes to references and reassurance for the landlord when it comes to paying rent.

It's a nightmare out there for students and some landlords would rather rent to young professionals than risk renting to students.


If you can afford it, sit down with your landlord and explain it to him but as someone has mentioned you should still be prepared for an increase in rent if you are due a rent review.

You could sublet to someone for the year if your housemates agreed to it but I don't know if that would fly with your landlord. I'm also not sure on the tenancy rights of someone subletting.

Xterminator

Hi OP

there have been a fair few suggestions here, and very few of them take the landlords point of view into consideration.

he could easily rent the room to someone for the year you are away, and again the following year, as there is great demand. so why would he take less than the market rate from you?

it would be frankly insulting to ask him to take anything less.

bucketybuck

For the landlords view consider this.

What if you pay rent all year, and then a month before you return the landlord decides for unrelated reasons to stop being a landlord, says he is selling the house and terminates your lease?

Solomon Pleasant

bucketybuck wrote: »

For the landlords view consider this.

What if you pay rent all year, and then a month before you return the landlord decides for unrelated reasons to stop being a landlord, says he is selling the house and terminates your lease?

That's a risk that I'd be taking I guess, not something I want to do but I don't have a lot of options and any that I do have are risky or costly, or both.

Solomon Pleasant

Xterminator wrote: »

Hi OP

there have been a fair few suggestions here, and very few of them take the landlords point of view into consideration.

he could easily rent the room to someone for the year you are away, and again the following year, as there is great demand. so why would he take less than the market rate from you?

it would be frankly insulting to ask him to take anything less.

I wouldn't be offering him less than market rate though? I'd be continuing to pay the same rent as I am now which is agreeable to both of us.

I agree, I'm not in a position to request lower rent.

pillphil

What if you ask him to sign a two year contract and allow you to take on a licencee for the first year?

Spanish Eyes

No guarantees or rights with a lodger.

None.

Are you a lodger or a co tenant on a proper lease?

Think about that please before shelling out the guts of 5 grand. Owner occupier can get rid of you with no notice, nothing, you have no legal rights as a lodger.

Solomon Pleasant

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

No guarantees or rights with a lodger.

None.

Are you a lodger or a co tenant on a proper lease?

Think about that please before shelling out the guts of 5 grand. Owner occupier can get rid of you with no notice, nothing, you have no legal rights as a lodger.

I am (to the best of my knowledge) a proper tenant and I have signed a lease. Our landlord is a registered landlord and everything is official as far as I know.

Solomon Pleasant

pillphil wrote: »

What if you ask him to sign a two year contract and allow you to take on a licencee for the first year?

Yeah I intend to probably ask him for a 2 year lease.

What do you mean by a licencee? Is that sub letting the room to someone?

quietsailor

At this stage OP you need to stop looking for advice on here and go talk to your landlord. Think about this from their point of view - they want the least hassle tenant that causes them no problems.

Now - here comes an existing tenant with some strange (to them) scheme while at the moment it is ridicously easy to rent out acomodation in Dublin. Put an ad in any paper, online site etc and the LL will be flooded with calls so why would they entertain your scheme. It sounds too ridiculous - you're going to pay them a years rent to reserve an empty room, their thinking could be "that sounds dodgy so better to go with another normal tenant"

Why not tell them what you've told us already;

1. I'll be gone abroad for all of next year and will be coming back to Ireland too late in the season to find somewhere to easilyrent.
2. I really like living here (if you do like it?)
3. I've been a good tenant and pay my rent on time plus I don't damage the house (you have - haven't you?)

If you tell them this and then follow with a request that you want to reserve the room for the academic year after this one and you're willing to pay the deposit plus 2 or 3 months rent in advance they would see that as a much more normal transaction and would be more amenable.

It has the upside for you that you won't be risking so much money

newacc2015

Most Colleges have accommodation for final years. The fact is you could easily get accommodation in the tons of new student complexes opening all over the City. There will be a few thousand more beds you come back in 18 months. They are pricey, so they are out of the reach of most people (about 800-900 for a bedroom).

I would just email one of them early next year.

smunchkins

My goodness, that is an utter waste of money.
You are letting fear of the unknown next year rule your decisions.
The rental market is in constant flux, there is always somewhere.
Do you know not know ANY final year students who will be finishing up then?
And as mentioned, what about the college accom route? And what about Airbnb? And what about hostels? (Or camping?)(Or friends?)
With the amount of money you're throwing away you could easily rent a short term let for a few weeks.
Or buy a car and commute from somewhere.
Seriously op, you need to be adaptable, and not "lock in" this room. What happens if there is an emergency during the year? Or you meet someone in your foreign country and want to stay on? Or you decide to take a year out to travel before commencing final year?
It sounds like you're trying to be responsible and line up a sensible accommodation solution for next year, but...this is not the way. I've been stuck in a lease myself. And had to move quickly. And had an oil leak. And had a landlord decide to sell up. And had to drop out of college to deal with an ill family member. I also paid rent for a room whilst I was away for 6 months, then I got a dog, and had to move out anyway.
Some things you just have to deal with as they arise. And the clever route would be to stash that money away somewhere for use as a rainy day fund/to get a fantastic room next year. Seriously, with the amount of rent per month you could afford to pay you'll get some really choice properties (I'm counting 540 sharing ads in Dublin between €650-€1000), with much less competition. You are probably used to the low end of the rental market, the higher end is not so crowded!
I'd definitely talk to your college accom office too anyway.
Good luck!

BrokenArrows

Solomon Pleasant wrote: »

Altogether it will cost me 5400€ for the year that I am abroad.

I'll be using it for my final year of college and possibly after I graduate.

It may well sound like madness but I'll only have 3 weeks after I return to find accommodation in Dublin. That's not an easy task, particularly when you throw the fact I'm a student into the equation. 4th year will be tough and I need the guarantee of somewhere solid to live and study effectively.

Thats madness.
You could stay in a nice hotel for 2 months for that price.

Save your 5400 and relax. You can come back and rent a room in an very nice non student apartment for your final year and double what you're willing to pay.

Dont be a fool and rent an empty room for a year.

__Alex__

Use a fraction of the money saved on not renting a room in Dublin this year to offer a two or three months' rent upfront and a bigger deposit to a landlord to help secure accommodation when you return. Use the money saved to also ensure that you can pay whatever the rents might be this time next year. Even with the new rent cap rules, increases can still happen. 4% on already high rent is still a considerable jump for a student. And just enjoy your year abroad and use some the money to live it up in a foreign land, as well as get good grades!

smunchkins wrote: »

Seriously, with the amount of rent per month you could afford to pay you'll get some really choice properties (I'm counting 540 sharing ads in Dublin between €650-€1000), with much less competition. You are probably used to the low end of the rental market, the higher end is not so crowded!

My thoughts too.

pwurple

I think OP wants the most hassle-free option, and is willing to pay for it.

Sounds logical to me, and the people who are saying stay in a hotel for a month and then put massive deposits down have obviously No Fing Clue how time consuming some 4th year college courses are, and how quickly you drop behind the curve. Spending hours and hours trawling for new places, interviewing and being refused, and then the settling in period of figuring out transport and utilities etc. 
That's all TIME wasted, and time is as valuable as money.


I'm a landlord, and here's my suggestion.

Offer to reserve the room a year in advance, by giving a deposit in advance now, maybe even a 2 month deposit (make sure you get this in writing, with a receipt).
Explain the situation to the landlord, and see how that goes.

oppenheimer1

pwurple wrote: »

I think OP wants the most hassle-free option, and is willing to pay for it.

Sounds logical to me, and the people who are saying stay in a hotel for a month and then put massive deposits down have obviously No Fing Clue how time consuming some 4th year college courses are, and how quickly you drop behind the curve. Spending hours and hours trawling for new places, interviewing and being refused, and then the settling in period of figuring out transport and utilities etc. 
That's all TIME wasted, and time is as valuable as money.


I'm a landlord, and here's my suggestion.

Offer to reserve the room a year in advance, by giving a deposit in advance now, maybe even a 2 month deposit (make sure you get this in writing, with a receipt).
Explain the situation to the landlord, and see how that goes.

Having done the room search in the last 6 months myself, its not that much hassle - it doesn't take over your life.

Perhaps I was more prudent in college because it was mostly my parents money I was spending on rent.

__Alex__

pwurple wrote: »

I think OP wants the most hassle-free option, and is willing to pay for it.

Sounds logical to me, and the people who are saying stay in a hotel for a month and then put massive deposits down have obviously No Fing Clue how time consuming some 4th year college courses are, and how quickly you drop behind the curve.

That's a big assumption to make. I'd say most people posting here have a college education. Speaking from my own experience of having done a time-consuming hard science degree at the height of the boom when there were also accommodation shortages, yes final year is time-consuming but three weeks before the academic year begins is plenty of time, especially if he can cough up for higher rents with the money saved on not renting out a room in his absense.

The OP could plough a year's rent into the room only for the landlord to decide to sell up when he gets back. There are no guarantees.

Asking the landlord to reserve the room is not a bad idea and if the landlord has no intention of selling, he might be happy to go with that. But he might then be happy with the tenant he gets for the year and return the holding deposit the OP might pay. I don't know if many landlords would want their options restricted by some agreement like that but I guess there is no harm in the OP asking.