Using Daft to Find Somewhere to Live During Renovation? Here's What to Consider

If you are renovating your home in Dublin and need somewhere to live for a few months, Daft is probably the first place you looked. That makes sense — it is the largest property listing site in Ireland, and most people start there by reflex.

But if you are specifically looking for a short-term rental to cover a renovation period, there are some practical limitations worth understanding before you invest too much time scrolling.

Most Daft listings require a 12-month lease

The majority of rental properties on Daft are let on standard 12-month agreements. That works for someone moving permanently, but it creates an obvious problem for a homeowner who needs somewhere for three to six months during building works.

Breaking a lease early carries its own complications — legally and financially. And committing to 12 months when your renovation may finish in four creates a mismatch that few homeowners want to deal with.

Competition is intense for short-term listings

When a genuinely short-term listing does appear on Daft, the response is often overwhelming. Dozens of applicants for the same property is not unusual in Dublin, and landlords understandably favour tenants who will commit for longer.

As a renovating homeowner looking for a temporary arrangement, you are competing against people who are willing to stay indefinitely. That puts you at a structural disadvantage in the application process.

Unfurnished, and everything to set up

Many Daft listings are unfurnished or part-furnished. For someone relocating temporarily during building works, that means either furnishing a rental for a few months, or living with the bare minimum. Neither is ideal, particularly for families.

On top of that, you will likely need to set up utility accounts, broadband, bin collection, and handle the admin of a full household move — all for a stay that may last only a few months.

What RenovateStay does differently

RenovateStay is not a general rental platform. It exists specifically for homeowners who need a furnished, serviced home during renovation works in Dublin.

Every property is fully furnished and ready to move into. Weekly housekeeping, fresh linen, garden maintenance and all utilities are included in a single monthly fee. Stays are in 3-month renewable blocks — aligned to renovation timelines, not annual lease cycles.

There is no 12-month commitment, no utility setup, no competing with hundreds of other applicants. You enquire, we match you to a suitable property, and you move in when the renovation starts.

Daft still has its place

This is not about dismissing Daft — it serves a purpose and serves it well for the general rental market. But for the specific, short-term, renovation-shaped gap that most homeowners are trying to fill, a purpose-built service tends to fit the timeline and the reality of the situation more closely.

For a broader look at all the options available, the full guide to temporary accommodation during renovations covers short-term rentals, serviced accommodation, staying with family, and how to choose.