Moving to Dublin for work: your first-month room plan
13 October 2026
Starting a new job in Dublin is exciting, but finding somewhere to live can be the hardest part. The safest approach is to plan your first month in two stages: somewhere short-term to land, then a longer-term room you have viewed in person.
Stage one: a room for your first weeks
Book a short-term room or digs for your first two to six weeks. It gives you an address, time to learn the city and the chance to view long-term places in person.
Look at where your workplace is first, then search along direct transport lines. The Luas, DART and commuter trains make some areas much easier to reach than they look on a map.
Have your documents ready
Landlords and advertisers commonly ask for photo ID, a reference from a previous landlord and proof of your job, such as your contract or a letter from your employer. Keep these as files on your phone so you can send them quickly when you find the right place.
You don't need a PPS number to rent a room.
Stage two: view, then commit
Once you are in Dublin, view rooms in person and meet the people you would live with. Check what's included in the rent, how bills are split and the notice period.
For a tenancy, the deposit and the rent in advance can each be no more than one month's rent.
Know your rights
If you rent a room in a house share where the owner doesn't live there, you are usually a tenant, and the landlord must register the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board. In the owner's own home you are usually a licensee, with fewer legal protections, so agree the terms in writing.
Avoid the most common scam
The classic scam targets people moving from abroad: a great room at a low price, an owner who is "away" and asks for a deposit to hold it. Never send money for a place you haven't viewed, whatever the story.