Moving to Dublin Before You’ve Found a Permanent Home

Your new job starts in Dublin in a few weeks, but you have not found somewhere to live. Or your family is ready to move, while the permanent address is still a question mark.

You can plan the move in two stages: somewhere suitable to stay when you arrive, followed by a longer-term home once you have had the chance to assess your options. The key is to make the first stage practical, with clear dates, costs and a plan if your search takes longer than expected.

At EirStay, we help guests arrange a furnished base for that in-between period. Here is what we suggest thinking through before you travel and during your first weeks in Dublin.

Book a base that makes the first few weeks manageable

Your first address in Dublin does not have to be your permanent one. It does need to work for the commitments you already have: your first day at work, any regular appointments and the people travelling with you.

Start with your workplace address and expected working hours. Then consider the areas where you are likely to attend viewings. Check actual door-to-door journeys using Transport for Ireland, rather than assuming that everywhere in the same Dublin district is equally convenient.

A kitchen, laundry facilities and somewhere to unwind can make a difference while you are organising the move. If you will work from the apartment, ask about the workspace and internet connection. If you are bringing a car, confirm the parking arrangements before booking.

For someone arriving alone, our Rathgar apartment is listed for one guest. If you need more bedrooms, Ranelagh 1 is another option to explore. Check the individual listing and tell us who will be staying; the right fit depends on your household as well as the location.

Choose an initial stay without guessing your move-in date

There is no reliable timetable that applies to every rental search. Your budget, household requirements, preferred areas and the properties available when you arrive will all affect the options you find.

We welcome enquiries for stays from fourteen nights, subject to availability and booking terms. Before confirming temporary accommodation, ask:

• What is the total price for the agreed dates, and what is included?
• What payment, cancellation and date-change terms apply?
• If the search takes longer, how and when should you request an extension?
• If the apartment cannot be extended, are there any other available options?

An extension is not guaranteed. Let us know early if your plans may change, but keep a backup plan until any additional nights are confirmed. Equally, do not assume unused nights will be refunded if you find a permanent home sooner; check your booking terms.

Prepare for rental applications before you travel

Organising your documents in advance can save time when you find a suitable property. Requirements vary between landlords and agents, so ask what is needed for that particular application.

• Have your employer’s contact details and, where appropriate, an employment letter or contract ready.
• Ask previous landlords whether they can provide a reference.
• Prepare a short introduction covering who will live in the home, your intended start date and your contact details.
• Keep identification and financial documents secure. Share only what is necessary, through a verified channel, after checking who is requesting it.

If a bank, public body or other organisation needs proof of address, check its accepted documents directly. Ask us what documentation we can provide for your booking; do not assume that a booking confirmation will meet every organisation’s requirements.

View homes carefully, even when you feel under pressure

Having somewhere to stay gives you room to assess a potential home rather than making a rushed decision because your arrival date is approaching.

At a viewing, look beyond the photographs. Check heating, ventilation, storage, appliances, noise and the condition of the property. Ask what is included, who handles repairs, when possession can actually begin and what agreement you would be signing.

Be cautious about pressure to transfer money before you have verified the property and the person offering it. An Garda Síochána’s rental-fraud guidance explains warning signs and practical precautions. For tenancy rights, deposits and agreements, consult the Residential Tenancies Board. A temporary stay and a residential tenancy should not be assumed to have identical terms or legal treatment.

Make the temporary home work for everyone moving

If you are arriving as a couple or family, think about the weeks between landing and moving permanently—not just the night you arrive. Separate bedrooms, cooking arrangements, laundry and room for luggage may matter more than being beside a visitor attraction.

For families, build school visits and childcare enquiries into your plans, but confirm places directly with each provider. Staying in a particular neighbourhood does not guarantee a school place. If one adult is arriving first, tell us when the rest of the household intends to join; any change in guest numbers needs to be agreed and remain within the property’s capacity.

Our Donnybrook Apartment 1 is listed for up to four guests, while Sandford Gardens has three bedrooms and accommodates up to five. They are options to compare with your household’s needs, rather than interchangeable recommendations for every family.

Try the neighbourhood before making a longer commitment

Use some of your time in Dublin to test daily life in the areas you are considering. Travel to work at the time you would normally leave. Visit the local shops, check the route home in the evening and think about the journeys you will make on weekends.

Keep your temporary accommodation decision separate from your permanent-home decision. A location that suits a short work assignment may not be the best long-term choice for your household, budget or school arrangements.

You do not need to see every neighbourhood. A shortlist based on your actual routines is more useful than choosing solely because an area sounds familiar.

Plan the handover into your permanent home

Before arranging removals or changing your temporary booking, confirm the agreement, move-in date and key handover for the new property. Where practical and affordable, a little overlap can make the move easier—but do not pay for extra nights without understanding the terms.

• Confirm who will meet you and when you can collect keys.
• Agree and record the condition of the property and its contents.
• Take opening meter readings where relevant and arrange utilities.
• Check what you need to bring, including bedding or kitchen items.
• Coordinate luggage, deliveries and checkout from your temporary apartment.

If the handover is delayed, contact your accommodation provider promptly. Treat any extension or alternative property as a new arrangement to confirm, not something that happens automatically.

Tell us what you already know—and what is still uncertain

You do not need to have every part of your relocation settled before contacting EirStay. Send us:

• Your arrival date and the initial length of stay you are considering.
• The number of adults and children, and bedrooms required.
• Your workplace address or the areas you need to reach regularly.
• Your budget and any parking, access or workspace requirements.
• Whether your plans depend on a rental search, family arrival or another uncertain date.

We can check suitable available apartments and explain the price and terms for your proposed stay. We cannot promise how quickly you will find a permanent home, but we can help you arrange a practical base while you look.

Enquire about temporary accommodation for your Dublin move, or browse our current properties. For the wider move, see our Dublin relocation guide and guide to relocating with family.