The six best renting websites in Ireland are Daft.ie, Rent.ie, MyHome.ie, uhomes.com, Facebook rental groups, and your university accommodation offices. This guide reviews each option in detail, including the types of rentals available, main features, pros and cons, and the renters each platform is best suited to. It also explains which website is most useful for finding student accommodation in Ireland.
Quick comparison of the renting websites in Ireland
A quick comparison of the rent websites in Ireland helps renters see which platforms are best suited to different housing needs. The table below compares six major rental websites and accommodation channels by their best use, property types, main locations and key advantages, covering private rentals, house shares and student accommodation in Ireland.
| Website | Best For | Property Types | Main Locations | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daft.ie | General private renting | Houses, apartments, rooms | Nationwide | Large general rental marketplace |
| Rent.ie | Alternative private listings | Houses, flats, rooms | Nationwide | Additional rental inventory |
| MyHome.ie | Property search and area research | Houses, apartments | Nationwide | Rental + wider property information |
| uhomes.com | Students | PBSA, studios, en-suites, apartments | Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick | Student-focused search and booking support |
| Facebook Groups | Informal room shares | Rooms, sublets | Major cities | Direct contact |
| University accommodation services | Students | Rooms, digs, student housing | University cities | University-specific resources |
Daft.ie: Ireland’s largest property listings website
Daft.ie is Ireland’s largest and most popular property listings website, featuring the vast majority of all homes for sale and rent across the country. For renters, the platform provides listings for houses, apartments, flat shares and rooms, with search options available by location and property type. Daft.ie also features properties for sale and new housing developments, while its mobile app allows users to access search filters and property market information on the go.
Pros:
- Large volume of listings: Daft.ie offers a broad selection of rental and sale properties across Ireland, giving renters more options to compare.
- Real-time property alerts: Users can receive notifications when new listings match your saved search criteria.
- Useful search and map tools: Renters can filter properties by location, price and property type and explore listings through map-based search.
- User-friendly mobile app: The Daft.ie app makes it easy to search, filter and monitor new properties while on the move.
Cons:
- High competition for popular listings: Properties in high-demand areas can attract many enquiries soon after being advertised.
- Some listings may remain online after being let: Renters can occasionally encounter properties that are no longer available but have not yet been removed.
- Response rates can vary: Landlords or agents may not respond to every enquiry, particularly when a listing receives a large number of applications.
Best for:
Daft.ie is best for renters who want a large choice of private houses, apartments and shared accommodation across Ireland and are comfortable contacting landlords or agents directly.
Rent.ie: Strong alternative website
Rent.ie is a strong alternative rental website in Ireland for people searching for houses, apartments, house shares, student accommodation, and short-term lets. It has a dedicated student lettings section for accommodation near Irish colleges and universities, while private landlords can list properties directly on the platform.
Pros:
- Lower competition: Rent.ie generally attracts fewer house hunters than Daft.ie.
- Additional rental listings: Some landlords and letting agents may advertise properties on Rent.ie that are not listed on larger platforms.
- Simple search experience: The website has a relatively straightforward interface.
- Useful email alerts: Renters can set up alerts to receive updates when new properties matching their search criteria are listed.
Cons:
- Fewer listings than larger platforms: Rent.ie generally has a smaller rental inventory than Daft.ie, so renters may have fewer properties to choose from.
- Less advanced search functionality: Its filtering, mapping and neighbourhood research tools are more limited than those available on some larger property portals.
- Some listings may be outdated: Properties can occasionally remain online after they have already been rented or become unavailable.
Best for:
Rent.ie is best for renters who want an alternative to Daft.ie, particularly those looking for additional house, apartment or room listings with potentially less competition.
MyHome.ie: General property website
MyHome.ie is a general property website in Ireland for users searching for homes to buy, rent or share across the country. The platform covers houses, apartments, shared accommodation, new builds, holiday homes and overseas properties, with search filters for location, price and property features. It also offers map and list views, commute-time search, information on nearby transport, schools and amenities, plus saved searches and alerts for newly listed properties.
Pros:
- Detailed property listings: MyHome.ie property pages include large photos, floor plans and Building Energy Rating (BER) information.
- Strong area research tools: Users can check nearby transport links, schools, restaurants and other local amenities.
- Useful commute-time search: Renters can search for properties based on maximum commute time.
- Saved searches and alerts: Users can save search criteria, favourite properties and receive notifications when matching new listings appear.
Cons:
- Fewer rental listings than major rental platforms: MyHome.ie generally has a smaller rental inventory than Daft.ie.
- More focused on the wider property market: The platform covers both sales and rentals, and its overall experience is more property-market focused than dedicated rental websites.
- Some listings may be outdated.
- Some users report technical issues: Reviews mention occasional slow loading, freezing or problems with saved searches and favourites.
Best for:
MyHome.ie is best for renters who want to compare properties together with neighbourhood, commute and local amenity information before choosing where to live.
uhomes.com: Student accommodation booking platform
uhomes.com is a student accommodation platform in Ireland that helps students find and book housing in major study destinations across the country. It offers a wide selection of student accommodation in Dublin, student accommodation in Cork, student accommodation in Galway and housing options in Limerick, including properties near major universities such as UCC student accommodation and accommodation near the University of Galway. Students can search by city or university and filter listings by budget, tenancy length, move-in date and room type, including en-suites, studios, shared rooms and apartments. Many Irish PBSA listings also clearly show practical details such as bills included, furnishings, walking or transport times to campus and nearby amenities.
Students who already know their preferred city, university or room type can compare available properties directly online. Those who are less certain can use uhomes.com’s one-to-one consultant service to discuss budget, commute, move-in date and room preferences, then receive a shortlist of suitable properties and support with availability checks and booking. In Cork, for example, uhomes.com currently lists 43 student accommodation options and highlights rooms near UCC and Cork Institute of Technology, including bills-included and short-term choices.
Facebook rental groups: Informal marketplace for rooms and sublets
Facebook rental groups are an informal marketplace for finding rental housing through local online communities. Landlords, agents and current tenants can post apartments, houses, rooms and sublets directly in location-specific groups, while renters can respond through comments or private messages. These groups also allow users to post “wanted” requests describing the type of accommodation they are looking for, which makes them useful for flexible or last-minute searches.
Pros:
- Direct contact with landlords and tenants: Renters can message landlords, current tenants or people seeking a replacement tenant directly through Facebook Messenger.
- Flexible short-term options: Facebook groups often include sublets, temporary rooms and last-minute availability.
- Potentially lower-cost listings: Some properties are posted directly by owners or existing tenants.
- Useful community information: Group members may share local advice, availability updates and warnings.
Cons
- Higher scam risk: Fake listings, fraudulent landlords and requests for deposits before viewing can appear.
- No rental payment protection: Payments and deposits are usually arranged privately.
- More manual searching: Renters often need to monitor group feeds and sort through many posts, as search filters and property alerts are more limited.
- Privacy concerns: Sharing phone numbers, income details or other personal information through social media may create additional privacy risks.
Best for:
Facebook rental groups are best for renters looking for rooms, house shares, sublets or short-term accommodation who are comfortable contacting landlords or tenants directly and verifying listings themselves.
Your university’s accommodation office: Campus-specific housing support
University housing offices and accommodation portals can help students find campus residences, digs, shared houses and private rooms near their university. These services are especially useful for students who want university-specific listings or housing options connected to their campus area.
For example, Trinity College Dublin students can use the Students’ Union Accommodation Advisory Service for exclusive accommodation listings, house-hunting resources and guidance on leases and tenant rights. UCD operates an Accommodation Booking & Support Office and directs students to UCD Accommodation Pad for off-campus houses, flats, apartments and lodgings.
How to use these rental websites in Ireland effectively?
To search rental websites in Ireland effectively, create accounts and alerts 1–2 weeks in advance, prepare a complete rental CV, and be ready to respond quickly once active searching begins. Keep viewing availability flexible, have key documents ready to send, and screen every listing for red flags such as payment requests before viewing, unusually low rent or an advertiser who cannot verify the property.
Set up your search strategy
Week 1–2: Preparation
- Create accounts on Daft.ie, Rent.ie, MyHome.ie and uhomes.com.
- Turn on email or app alerts.
- Join relevant Facebook rental groups.
- Set your budget, preferred areas, move-in date and property type.
- Prepare your rental CV and application documents.
Week 3+: Active searching
- Check new listings frequently.
- Reply to suitable listings quickly.
- Keep your viewing schedule flexible.
- Be ready to decide quickly after a viewing.
Prepare your materials
Digital rental CV:
- Your photo
- Current employment or study status
- Proof of income or employment
- Previous landlord references, if available
- Short personal introduction
- Preferred move-in date
- Viewing availability
Red flags to watch for
- The landlord claims to be abroad and cannot arrange a viewing.
- Payment is requested before viewing the property.
- The rent is far below similar properties in the area.
- Photos look copied, generic or inconsistent.
- The advertiser refuses phone or video contact.
- The renter is pressured to pay immediately.
Which renting website in Ireland is best for students?
The renting website in Ireland that is best for students is uhomes.com if they want student-specific accommodation, university-based search and one-to-one booking support. Students can search by city or university and compare PBSA, en-suites, studios, shared rooms and private apartments using filters such as budget, move-in date, tenancy length and room type. Many listings also show practical details such as bills included, furnishings, distance from campus and nearby transport.
University accommodation offices are another useful option for students who prefer campus-specific housing resources. They may provide university residences, digs, private rooms and local rental guidance, but the available housing is usually tied to a particular university and can be more limited.
Daft.ie and Rent.ie can also help students find private houses, apartments and rooms near universities, but they are general rental platforms rather than student-focused services. Students usually need to compare commute times, bills, room types and tenancy terms themselves.
Conclusion
The six best renting websites in Ireland cover different parts of the rental market: Daft.ie for broad property listings, Rent.ie and MyHome.ie for additional searches, uhomes.com for student accommodation, Facebook rental groups for rooms and sublets, and university accommodation offices for campus-specific support. Using several of these channels together gives renters a wider view of available houses, apartments, rooms and student housing.
For faster results, set up alerts, prepare rental documents in advance and check listings frequently, while verifying advertisers before making any payment. Students who want purpose-built accommodation, university-based filters and booking support can prioritise uhomes.com, while university accommodation offices remain useful for official campus housing resources.
FAQs
The best website to find a house for rent in Ireland is usually Daft.ie for the widest general property search. Rent.ie and MyHome.ie are useful additional sources, while students can also check university accommodation services and uhomes.com.
Agency fees can apply to renters in Ireland if they use a letting or accommodation agency, so the fee should always be confirmed before registering or paying. Renters should ask what service the fee covers, whether it is refundable and obtain a receipt for any payment made.
The deposit a landlord can ask for in Ireland cannot normally exceed one month’s rent. Tenants also cannot generally be asked for more than one month’s rent in advance, although specific rules apply to student-specific accommodation.
Renting through Facebook groups in Ireland can be useful, but listings require more careful verification than those on dedicated property websites. Renters should confirm the property and advertiser and avoid sending deposits before viewing or otherwise verifying the accommodation.
Renting a property in Ireland before viewing it carries additional risk, particularly when money is requested in advance. The RTB advises renters not to transfer money without viewing the property first and to obtain written records for the tenancy, deposit and rent payments.
Bills are not always included in rent in Ireland, so renters should check the tenancy agreement or listing before booking. Electricity, gas, internet and other charges may be paid by either the landlord or tenant, while many PBSA properties advertise bills-included packages.
A realistic rental budget for Dublin is around €2,300 per month for a new private tenancy, although the actual cost varies by area and property type. RTB data for Q1 2026 put the standardised average rent for new tenancies in Dublin City at €2,301 per month, while the Dublin county average was €2,335. A three-bedroom house in Dublin averaged €2,584 per month.
Irish references are not a legal requirement to rent in Ireland, but landlords commonly ask for references before accepting a tenant. RTB guidance recommends reference checks, and previous landlord or employer references are commonly requested; renters without an Irish rental history can usually provide references from a previous landlord abroad, an employer, university or other credible source instead.
