How it works

If you're looking for a room

Search by town, county or college, in English or Irish. Each room says who is letting it: someone who lives there, or a landlord or letting agent.

Create a short profile so hosts can get to know you, then message hosts through laba. Your email and phone number stay private until you both choose to share them.

Meet the host and view the room before you agree anything. Never pay money before a viewing.

If you have a room to share

Our step-by-step listing guide takes about ten minutes. We save as you go, so you can stop and come back.

Before your listing goes live, you verify your identity and that you live at the home. A person checks every new host's first listing.

Your exact address stays private. People searching see the general area only, until you choose to share it.

Agreeing an arrangement

When you're both happy, the host proposes an arrangement with a start date, a notice period and house rules.

The lodger reads a plain summary and confirms. Then the owner confirms. Both of you can see the summary at any time.

During the stay, either of you can use Get help at any time to raise a concern privately.

Help when you need it

alba answers questions at any time, and a person from laba is there when you need one. Everyone uses their own account: nobody can act in yours.