The College Investment: Planning for Student Accommodation Costs in 2026
It is mid-January. For thousands of households across Ireland, the focus is currently on "The Mocks" (practice exams) and the CAO deadline on February 1st.
But while students are stressing about points, parents are quietly stressing about something else: Logistics.
Securing a place in a university is difficult. Securing a bed near one is harder.
In 2026, student accommodation is no longer just a living expense; it is a significant capital investment that requires a strategic approach. Whether you are a relocating family with university-aged children or an investor looking at the market, here is the reality of the student housing landscape this year.
The State of Play in 2026
The "student housing crisis" is a phrase we have heard for years, and unfortunately, supply has not yet caught up with demand.
The Lottery System: Most on-campus accommodation is now allocated via a lottery system rather than first-come, first-served. This adds a layer of uncertainty that parents hate.
The Price of Privacy: Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), those modern blocks with en-suites and gyms, dominates the market in Dublin, Cork, and Galway. While high quality, they command a premium price.
The Cost Breakdown
If you are budgeting for the 2026/2027 academic year, here are the ballpark figures you need to keep in mind.
1. Purpose-Built / On-Campus This is the "hotel-style" living.
Cost: Expect to pay between €1,100 and €1,600 per month in Dublin (slightly less in regional cities).
The Catch: You often have to pay in large instalments upfront, and leases are strictly for the academic year (39-41 weeks).
2. Private Rental (House Share) The traditional "student house."
Cost: A room in a shared house in a college suburb (like Ranelagh or Phibsborough) ranges from €800 to €1,200 per month.
The Catch: Competition is fierce. You are competing not just with other students, but with young professionals.
3. "Digs" (Rent-a-Room) Living with a host family.
Cost: The budget option, ranging from €150 to €250 per week.
The Catch: Rules vary by household (e.g., some are "5-day" rentals only, meaning the student must go home on weekends).
The GoldGro Strategy: Is it Time to Buy?
For many of our clients, paying €60,000+ in rent over a four-year degree feels like sinking money into a black hole.
This has led to a rise in the "Parent-Investor."
If you have the capital, purchasing a property for your student child is becoming a popular strategy.
The Asset: You secure an asset in a high-demand market.
The Income: By buying a 2 or 3-bedroom apartment, your child takes one room, and you rent the others to their friends. Under the Rent-a-Room Relief scheme, you can earn up to €14,000 per year tax-free from these additional rooms.
The Exit: After graduation, you hold a prime rental property or sell the asset.
The "Commuter" Calculation
For families relocating to Ireland, the location of your own home is now heavily influenced by university access.
Buying a family home in a commuter town with a direct bus/train line to UCD, Trinity, or DCU (like Maynooth, Greystones, or indeed, the Boyne Valley) can save a family thousands per year in accommodation costs, even if it means a longer commute for the student.
Your Action Plan for Now (January/February)
Do not wait for the Leaving Cert results in August.
Book Refundable Rooms: Many private student accommodation providers open bookings early in the year. If you can, book a room with a "cooling off" period or a refund policy if the student doesn't get the college place. It is better to lose a small admin fee than to have no bed at all.
Run the "Buy vs. Rent" Numbers: If you have more than one child approaching college age, the math of buying often wins.
Check the Transport Links: If the student will be living at home, check the frequency of the 2026 bus/train timetables. A 9am lecture is a lot easier to make if there's an express bus.
Navigating the education system is complex enough without worrying about where they will sleep. Whether you are looking to rent, buy, or relocate, GoldGro can help you build a strategy that works for your family's future