During the month of May, a property in the city of Dublin was advertised as a flat, accommodating up to eight people comfortably. This listing, seemed normal to many prospective renters until they looked at the photographs.
This alleged flat seemed to many to be a converted office building. Upon further inspection, it was easy to see that this five bath, eight bed, and shared kitchen space were not exactly up to legal regulations, although this is conveyed as the least important aspect.
What most people seem to be most appalled by is the lack of privacy, and in some aspects, personal space that come from the conversion of an old workplace. The blocks of office areas were broken into two, leaving renters with thin walls between their two rooms.
Additionally, one of the rooms had three single beds pictured in one of the so-called rooms. This also put people in a frenzy, criticizing the renters on their lack of space management. In the end, it was found that this flat did not have the correct paperwork or inspections that would make it available for rent.
What I found most interesting about the reports of this listing was that the articles all included much more information about the flat than necessary. Each one painted a picture, getting the renter to feel more and more uncomfortable when imagining the space.
Although this was their intention, my university level brain went to an entirely different place. Beyond the mention of the grey industrial carpet, I imagined nothing more than shared accommodations at university.
Staying at UCD has given me the opportunity to compare Ireland and the United States housing options on a collegiate campus. In both, there are shared necessities such as kitchens, dining rooms, and general common spaces that are usually equipped with necessary furniture and tools.
One thing that is drastically different between these two places is shared rooms and bathrooms. In the United States, almost every person attending university is required to stay on campus, and in almost all cases, share a bedroom and bathroom with one or more people. At the university I attend in the states, you can have up to 3 other roommates in a single room.
Beyond the lack of paperwork, I have had a hard time figuring out what is wrong in regards to the setup of the home. During my most recent year in university, I shared a room with one other girl and a bathroom with four other girls. There was little to complain about here, because this is one of the best set ups you can get.
What makes the listed accommodation that different from what I seemingly endured for an entire year? Beyond the grey carpet, I haven’t a clue.
