AS THE NEW college term draws near, students in Limerick have been warned to remain vigilant against a wave of rental accommodation scams.
With thousands of students currently searching for places to live as lecture halls re-open after the summer break, rental scams are a growing concern, especially amid the ongoing housing crisis.
With only 16 properties available to rent on Daft.ie in Limerick City at the beginning of August at an average cost of over €2,000 per month, as highlighted by this newspaper, competition is high for students looking to find a place to leave during term time.
Warning students to stay vigilant in the face of rental scams, the Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) issued some advice to students looking to rent on Shannonside.
The IPOA advises students to “request proof of property ownership from potential landlords”, including insurance records or Local Property Tax receipts.
The also urged students to be wary of accommodation only advertised on social media, or if the person offering a rental will only communicate via messaging apps.
“Be vigilant if there is an unusual sense of urgency by the ‘landlord’ in securing a deposit,” a spokesperson for the IPOA advised.
“Be wary of rents that are ‘too good to be true’. Sense-check an advertisement with a friend or family member if you are unsure whether it’s legitimate.”
The IPOA also advised students to inspect properties before paying money to a landlord, and to ensure a receipt for any payment made.
The association also advised students to familiarise themselves with their rental rights and the work of Residential Tenancies Board.
IPOA chairperson Mary Conway added that “if the rental accommodation you are offered seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
Ms Conway further warned that the “reality is that young people are at risk of being scammed in the rental market as the competition between renters is higher than ever”.
“There is always a threat of rental scams and unscrupulous landlords or fraudsters taking advantage of post-secondary students and those living far from home. Protect your hard-earned money and begin the academic year on a high by securing suitable accommodation.
“We want to take this opportunity to remind you to ensure that your potential landlord is following the law and abides by all relevant safety measures. Legislation exists to protect landlords and tenants, and a legitimate landlord should be upfront and communicative with prospective tenants.”
