Briain Kelly, 31 Aug
As a new academic year approaches, the IPOA is warning students across
Ireland to remain vigilant and wary of rental scams.
Mary Conway, Chairperson of the Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA)
has warned students, “If the rental accommodation you are offered seems
too good to be true, it probably is”
As thousands of students across Ireland currently search for accommodation
ahead of the academic year. The IPOA is warning students to exercise
caution.
Amid a nationwide housing shortage, caution is the safest way for students
to secure reliable and legitimate rental accommodation and avoid scams
which could result in lost deposits, distress and the potential to disrupt
studies.
The unfortunate reality is that availability does not meet rising demand,
as many landlords continue to leave the rental market.
The IPOA advocates annually for students to be wary of the current rental
environment where renters are increasingly vulnerable to unscrupulous
actors.
To safeguard against potential losses and prevent fraudulent payments
being made, prospective tenants are encouraged to follow some practical
advice and use common sense:
Request proof of property ownership from potential landlords. This may
include verifiable insurance records or Local Property Tax (LPT) receipts.
Be wary of accommodation only advertised on social media or if the person
offering a rental will only communicate with you via messaging
applications like WhatsApp.
Be vigilant if there is an unusual sense of urgency by the ‘landlord’ in
securing a deposit or if the deposit requested is worth more than
one-month’s rent.
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.
Inspect the property before you pay money to the landlord. When satisfied,
make payment and ensure you receive a receipt from the person you have
identified as the owner or agent.
Be cautious if the property owner is consistently unable to or refuses to
meet you in person.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, a legitimate property owner will be
happy to answer.
Know your rights – familiarise yourself with the Residential Tenancies
Board.
Watch out for illegal subletting agreements – all agreements should be
made directly with the property owner or with their consent.
Speaking on the topic Mary Conway said, “As students across Ireland
prepare for the academic year, fears of securing rental accommodation
should not be another added stress, but 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.”
“Students are in direct competition with demand from young professionals
and newcomers moving to Ireland’s biggest cities, while landlords
unfortunately cannot meet the demand, and affordable housing is hard to
come by.”
“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.”