A FATHER who works in Dublin but can't afford to pay rent is asking for tips on how to live in his car.

The man, who has a five-year-old child, wrote on online chat forum Reddit: "About to start my new life as a car dweller.

4 The man asked Reddit commenters for tips on how to live in his car

"I'm a man of low standards so I think I will be alright with it as it should hopefully only be for a few months."

"I can couch surf on the weekend so will only really be Sunday - Thursday. Anyone done this?

"I have never in my life had my car broken into so I'm not too worried about security, I will just park in a posh area I guess?

"My workplace has showers so can come in early, hit them, they also do breakfast and lunch so that will be a great help.

"Be great to hear from someone who has done this before."

The man's post follows the most recent Daft.ie rental report revealing the average cost of rent in Ireland in the final three months of 2017 was €1,227.

In Dublin it was €1,709 (north city); €1,869 (city centre), €1,939 (south city), €1,520 (north county), €1,601 (west county) and €1,995 (south county).

4 Most recent average rent costs in Dublin from Daft.ie

It also comes as the most recent homeless figures show almost 10,000 people - including 3,755 children - were accessing emergency accommodation in February.

One Reddit user suggested to the man, who goes by the name Self Ireland on Reddit, that he join a 24-hour gym.

The user Smith_Bits suggested: "You could park in lots of quite, safe areas nearby such as Sandymount, which has free on street parking in places.

"So wake up, go to gym and take a class, shower, wash teeth, grab breakfast in Fresh supermarket in Grand canal dock, then into work."

Another poster empathised with the man, saying they, too, had slept in their car for a while when they became homeless.

They warned the man about the cold.

The poster EmerLadGaming wrote: "Keep some warm clothes, I became homeless for a while and had to sleep in my car.

"Once the heating goes off the car gets cold very quickly. So make sure you’re wrapped up warm."

4 A tent belonging to a homeless person on the Royal Canal in Dublin

4 A tent along the Grand Canal in Portobello, Dublin

Another warned the man that if his windows fogged up, it may signal to people that he's sleeping the car.

Weetabix_liquer wrote: "Get wind deflectors so you can leave the window open slightly without rain getting in. Also prevents windows from fogging which gives away that there's someone in the car."

One poster Listlessatsea87 asked the man if he's earning money from his place of work and he responded: "Not enough to afford living in Dublin unfortunately."

Another asked why he just doesn't leave Dublin - to which he responded: "I was born and raised here, have all my friends and family and yeah also a 5 year old kid so thats a bit of an issue with picking up and f**king off someone where else."

When others asked why he couldn't stay with family and friends, the man said: "Dont get on with folks, not a good place to stay better off in car, most friends live with their women or parents, I wouldn't even ask most of them, I dont think you can just ask any oul acquaintance to shack up in their gaff.

"I can stay with someone for the weekend but during the week im on my own. Be grand I loved camping as a young fella.

"There is lads living on the streets sure its not un-common. There are people who do it by choice also."

Another commenter LamhDheargUladh also said they had slept in their car for six months while they were working in a new job and waiting to find a new place to live.

They said: "For emergency peeing, I had a 2L bottle with the top cut off. Pee and pour out. I had my phone charged fully before I turned off the engine so I could watch a film each night.

"Wasn’t bad at all really, and was temporary. I was up very early every morning and at the gym for a shower.

"And you’ll find you actually go to sleep much earlier too. Your body clock alignes back to before we had tv and lights. So I actually slept better."

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BallPointPariah suggested the man use "fabric softener bottles instead" - as they have large openings at the top of the bottle.

This Saturday a protest over the housing crisis will take place from 1pm at Parnell Square.

It's being organised by the National Homeless and Housing Coalition.