TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2023/2024

These new terms and conditions 2023/24 apply from 10th August 2023 and supersede any earlier versions.

This document coexists with the YWCA Dublin Code of Conduct. Agreement to these Terms and Conditions implies that you are also in agreement with our Code of Conduct

Applications

Applications for accommodation must be received on the official accommodation Application Form. The accommodation is allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. However, YWCA Dublin reserves the right to refuse accommodation if the request is inconsistent with the values and ethos of Young Women’s Christian Association- Dublin.

All enquiries should be made via email infodublin@ywca.ie at the residence. YWCA Dublin reserves the right to cancel accommodation bookings for non-payment of fees. All applications received are accepted subject to availability of dates and booking confirmation. Each application must be approved. Any submitted application and booking deposit is an intention to reside until it has been reviewed and approved. The applicant will receive an email confirmation if the application has been successful.

Booking Fee A €70 non-refundable booking fee applies to all bookings.

Security Deposit €200 security deposit is required for each booking. This deposit ensures that your booking is confirmed with us. You will receive a booking confirmation once the deposit has reached our account. This deposit will be returned, less the cost of any damages and/or other relevant charges, as set out more fully below (together with any exceptions). The deposit will be returned either one day prior to departure or after departure. If the latter, we require bank details. Any costs incurred from bank charges are the Resident’s responsibility.

Surcharge Due to unexpected rising costs, a surcharge of €35/week has been applied to bookings from 26th May 2023.

Rent As detailed in your chosen rental agreement (Academic Year, Semester, Summer or Short Term booking) Please note that YWCA Dublin will close over the Christmas period from 22nd December 2023 to 2nd January 2024. No rent is charged during this time.

Late arrival fee A late arrival fee of €60 per person applies for arrivals between 10pm and 8am.

Twin room bookings Booking a twin room means that you agree to share a room with a friend or relative who you are booking with, or if not, with another resident who YWCA Dublin will place with you.

Dates of stay Dates of your stay: The dates of your stay must be confirmed when booking for invoicing purposes.

Accommodation Extension/Return If you wish to extend your stay with us please check first for availability. Accommodation extensions cannot always be guaranteed and therefore we recommend that you speak with the Administrative Staff as early as possible. An extension booking fee of €70 applies to each application extension. Booking extensions or return bookings are regarded as separate bookings for administrative purposes and require a fresh application form to be submitted. Should there be any outstanding charges on a resident’s account, these must be cleared in full before an extension (or return) can be approved. If no charges remain outstanding, the original security deposit can be carried forward. (For further details on extensions, see below).

How to make payment:

International Bank Transfer Please ensure that the Resident’s name appears on the bank transfer payment details. IBAN bank transfers within the EU do not incur bank charges. If you are making a bank transfer outside of the EU then please add EUR €15.00 to the payment to cover the bank charges. All foreign exchange banking and 3rd party charges resulting will be the responsibility of the resident. Bank AIB (Allied Irish Bank) Address Bankcentre Branch, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Account Name YWCA Hostel Account No 19627-051 Sort Code 93-12-68 BIC (Swift) AIBKIE2D IBAN IE96 AIBK 9312 6819 6270 51 We also accept all major credit and debit cards.

Fees The Resident will receive written notification confirming the fees for the full stay with the Booking Confirmation and will be subsequently invoiced monthly for the rent. If payment is made by Bank transfer, all foreign exchange banking and 3rd party charges resulting will be the responsibility of the resident and not YWCA Dublin Residence.

Utilities and Internet Electricity, heating, water and bin charges are included in the rent. There is free wifi available throughout the Residence. Due to unexpected rising costs, a surcharge of €35/week has been added to bookings from 26th May 2023.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Non-refundable security deposit Please note that, once a booking is confirmed, the security deposit paid is non-refundable in cases of cancellation of all or part of the original booking. This applies should a resident cancel prior to checking in or to making an advance rent payment.

Cancellation and rent refund policy Notice of cancellation must be given in writing to the Administrative Staff (infodublin@ywca.ie). Cancellations received 14 days or more prior to arrival: Full rent will be refunded. Cancellations received 14 – 10 days prior to arrival: €200 euro will be retained from the rent payment. Cancellations received 10 – 4 days prior to arrival: A minimum of weekly rent and up to 30% of rent will be retained. Cancellations received 1 – 3 days prior to arrival: A minimum of weekly rent and up to 80% of rent will be retained. Cancellations received on day of arrival / after arrival date: A minimum of weekly rent and up to 100% of rent will be retained. In all cases listed above, the security deposit will (also) be retained. The precise percentage of the rent retained in any individual case will be at the discretion of the Development and Operations Manager. Any resident who takes up an offer of residence and subsequently leaves in advance of their agreed date of departure will not be refunded the deposit. The balance of their rent minus any fees for early departure/part cancellation of their original booking (similar to fees for cancellation prior to arrival as set out above) will be refunded as soon as the room is re-let to another resident. However, YWCA Dublin cannot guarantee that rooms vacated mid-term will be filled.

Exceptions Visa Refusals Students from outside the European Area may be required to obtain a visa to enter Ireland. At least 6 weeks are needed to process visa applications. Residents who fail to obtain their visas will be refunded all fees paid, less a processing fee of 200 euro. Written proof of the visa refusal must be supplied to the YWCA Dublin.

Illness and Emergency Residents must give advance notice to YWCA Dublin of any special dietary requirements, medical conditions or disorders. YWCA Dublin reserves the right to terminate services where (in the opinion of the Management of the Residence) the continued provision of that service would be unsafe or unsuitable. All Residents should have their own appropriate Accident, Medical and Personal Insurance to cover living costs, medical bills & repatriation expenses. These costs are the sole responsibility of the resident. Accommodation fees refunds are at the discretion of the Directors of the Residence and may not always be possible.

RIGHTS – YWCA DUBLIN YWCA Dublin has the right to access the bedrooms on reasonable notice to carry out inspections, maintenance and repairs. YWCA Dublin will maintain the premises to a reasonable standard and carry out repairs as necessary. However, if any items in the said bedrooms have been physically damaged through misuse or abuse, the resident will be responsible for the costs of repair or replacement. YWCA Dublin has the right to transfer resident(s) to different room(s) during their stay for any operational or disciplinary reasons. Please note that this is not a normal occurrence and will only be done if the Management feel it is absolutely necessary. Any resident who is in a twin room must be aware that YWCA Dublin can refill a space should it become vacated. YWCA Dublin reserves the right to vary the services provided under this Agreement at YWCA Dublin discretion. YWCA Dublin operates a normal usage policy on utilities, including internet usage, and if any resident(s) exceed this fair usage, a utility bill will be issued to the resident(s) for the excess. Any non-payments may result in further fines or review of the resident’s licence. YWCA Dublin reserves the right to terminate the licence/rent agreement on reasonable notice in circumstances where the resident is in breach of the Terms and Conditions or Code of Conduct. YWCA Dublin reserves the right to terminate the licence/rent agreement without notice in any emergency situation which requires the bedroom to be cleared of resident(s). Insurance cover for personal belongings is not covered in the licence/rent agreement.

Termination of accommodation YWCA Dublin may terminate a resident’s accommodation for any reason by giving the resident not less than one calendar months notice in writing expiring on any day. In addition, YWCA Dublin reserves the right to terminate accommodation when the following occur: Non-payment of rent Non-adherence to Code of Conduct Non-adherence to Health and Safety procedures Anti-social behaviour Damage to property Bullying or violence toward others Abuse of drugs/alcohol Reported shoplifting offence or any other infringement of Irish law YWCA Dublin will not accept responsibility for any additional expenses incurred by the resident in relation to the termination of accommodation. YWCA Dublin will not refund remaining rent or safety deposit where a resident is asked to leave.

General Please note that not all preferences are guaranteed, on the type of room and roommates you will share with. We will, however, endeavour to provide you with your accommodation preferences. Any resident that is in a twin room must be aware that YWCA Dublin can refill a space should it become vacated.

Self-Catering A kitchenette is provided for each house (Main House and Annex). Access to the main kitchen area is supervised by Resident Assistants and Residents can sign up to allotted times each evening. The Dining Room remains open 24 hours a day and there are communal storage areas provided for residents. COVID-19 We made significant changes to the Residence in order to keep residents, staff and volunteers safe during the pandemic. This includes reducing our maximum resident capacity to 24, keeping a bedroom as an isolation room, providing training for employees and volunteers, extra cleaning of shared surfaces and various methods of helping residents maintain social distance and good hygiene practises. All residents must follow the guidelines set by the Residence in this regard, as well as those by the Irish government and health authorities. Our COVID Response plan is reviewed regularly and updated accordingly.

Disclaimer YWCA Dublin accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to residents’ property or for any injury sustained by a resident due to that resident’s negligence, while on the premises.

Please Note: The Management of the YWCA Dublin reserves the right to refuse accommodation on application or to terminate occupancy of any person found to be in breach of the Terms and Conditions as set out in this document. Signing the Accommodation Application Form indicates acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and the YWCA Dublin Code of Conduct. These Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice as is deemed necessary by the Management.