There was good news for Galway students this week, as a new report on rental accommodation showed that rent prices in the city are on the decrease.

According to the rental report from Daft.ie, the supply of accommodation across the country is on the increase and rental rates are falling as a result. The average rent in Galway for a single room stands at €303, while a double room is priced at €363. A one bedroom apartment can be rented for €711, a two-bedroom dwelling is priced at €928 and a three bedroom house costs €1,054.

The average rent in Galway is dropping by 5.1 per cent year on year, with a 2.4 per cent quarterly decrease. This represents a major change in the Galway property market. Rents have steadily increased over the last number of years, leaving students paying much higher rates than their counterparts in many other cities.

NUIG Students' Union President, Muireann O Dwyer agreed that more accommodation had become available in recent times, but warned that there was still a lot of sub-standard housing on the market.

"It does seem like there is more accommodation available this year but the quality does not seem to have come up at all. We would encourage students to haggle with landlords and make sure that if there are minor improvements to be made, such as a new lick of paint needed, that these things get done. Students can be of the belief that they can only get one house and they better stick with it but it is important to talk to the landlord and make sure that the house is a nice place to live for the year.

"We have all heard horror stories about people living in damp but there is no need for this. Some rents have fallen but it has also proven harder for students to find summer jobs, which will make things difficult in the coming year. Anyone looking for information should call into us in the Students' Union or visit the accommodation office in the college."

With the pressure on to find suitable accommodation in time for September, many students may be frantic to put down a deposit on a new place but Patrick Bonner of GMIT Students' Union has urged people to be sensible about making business arrangements and ensure that a proper lease is signed before handing over any money.

"The general feedback this year so far has been good, although we would be slightly concerned about the standard of accommodation. Because it can be hard to find accommodation, some students are coming up, looking at one or two places and making hasty decisions. We would urge people to take their time and have an in-depth look at the property. They should also make sure they sign a lease and get a rent book to make sure that they are not taken advantage of by their landlord. There is plenty of decent accommodation out there if you look properly and anyone who needs help or advice should contact our Welfare Officer, Conor Moylan."

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