The high of the Leaving Cert results has dissipated, the first round of CAO offers has been issued and the prospect of college has become a reality for young people. Hello, real world! Life is about to get very interesting from here on out.

Next on the agenda is finding that home away from home, where you assume the monikers “tenant” and “grown-up”, all within a swift signature.

Entering into a tenancy contract isn’t always plain sailing, however, and Rosaline Carroll, director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) says: “It’s important that all students know the facts of the private rental market.” She adds this will, “help them make the best possible decisions, and avoid potential mistakes and pitfalls”.

So whether you’re in first-year college or a fourth year who has just broken away from on-campus accommodation, knowing your consumer rights and following the guidelines set out by the RTB and Irish Country Living will help make your year in college a stress-free financial success.

1. Transparency is key

The rent is spot on, the location is ideal and you’ve even bagged yourself the biggest room. Before you hand over a cent, though, make sure a contract is in place between you and the landlord.

Transparency is key, and agreeing rent is just the start of it. Make sure more detailed information is also included in writing.

For example, whose responsibility is it to cut the grass? How are other bills – such as heating, bins, electricity and internet – paid? These are usually an additional cost, so it’s important to consider them in your budget.

2. Get business-like

Renting is a business agreement and you need to treat it like one. So make sure you have a record of everything – including your deposit and every rent payment.

If anything goes wrong, you want to be able to prove that you have satisfied your rental requirements.

Also check if the tenancy is registered with the RTB and be sure to get the landlord’s name, address and phone number. You never know when you may need it.

3. Have a good look around

There is a comfy sofa and enough room to have the lads over for the footie, but look beyond the aesthetics of the house. Does it meet all minimum legal requirements? Get snooping.

You should have a four-ring hob with a grill and oven as well as a fridge and freezer, microwave and washing machine. Check they are all working properly – and don’t forget fire blankets and smoke alarms. If the accommodation doesn’t have these essentials, you have to question what else is missing.

4. Heating Up

Take it from us, the coldest year of your life may well be your first year of college. You’ll be dreaming of that warm radiator in your old school as you battle the wind and rain to get to a lecture on the other side of campus. So when you arrive home, you want a cosy house. Check the heating is working properly and that you can control when it is turned on and off. Also have a good look around for dampness and mould. If they are rearing their ugly heads in the summer, this is a big warning sign.

5. Be careful who you live with

Try and create an agreement with the landlord that you are responsible for rent for your room – and your room only.

If someone else doesn’t pay their rent or leaves bills unpaid, you don’t want to be left in a position where you and the rest of your housemates have to pick up the tab.

Joint and several liability means a landlord can choose to go after one or all of the tenants for money owed.

Also avoid living with the party animals. It’s all well and good to visit the party house, but if you live there you will inevitably lose out on sleep and money.

6. Know your rights

It’s the real world now and you have a responsibility to be a good tenant but the onus doesn’t just fall on you. Your landlord also has a responsibility and can’t be knocking on the door every second day to check on the place.

You are entitled to privacy and a peaceful home environment. So if the landlord wants to do checks, that’s fine, but every month or second month is sufficient. They must also give you reasonable notice before they enter the house, unless there is an emergency.

7. Look for a nine-month lease

This is a small but important one. Make sure you don’t sign a 12-month lease. Remember: you probably only want to stay for the nine-month academic year and then swan off on a J1 afterwards. Overlook this little technicality and you could be faced with paying the remaining rent or losing your deposit.

8. Get clicking

A stain on the sofa, a crack in the freezer drawer or a tear under the mattress? Take pictures as soon as you move in, so you don’t pay for the damage done by someone else upon your departure.

9. Mind your belongings

If the house burns down in the morning, your landlord will have been responsible for insuring the structure. However, everything in it that belongs to you is your responsibility to insure. So be careful if packing your expensive laptop, TV or stereo system.

10. Get your deposit

Remember: if you’ve paid your rent, given required notice, haven’t breached a fixed-term lease or damaged property, and paid the bills, you’re entitled to your deposit back.