Rental Scams

26 August 2024

As we near the start of the college year, and with summer holiday season still upon us, it is important to remain alert to the potential threat of rental scams.
A rental scam tries to con you out of your money by pretending to offer you a room to rent. Often the person advertising the property doesn’t have the right to rent it out, or it may not even exist.
Don’t be tricked into paying a deposit or any sum of money for a property that does not exist or has been offered to multiple people at once.

Here are our top tips to spot a rental scam and protect yourself:

• If the property seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will often advertise a property at a lower price than normal to draw in victims. It can be useful to research similar properties in the area and have an understanding of the average rent price.
• Be wary of properties that are only advertised through social media platforms/advertisements.
• Watch out for landlords appearing to offer you a rental ‘no questions asked’ – legitimate landlords will want to verify references and gathering certain information before considering renting to you.
• Make sure you research the advertised property, use online maps to verify it exists or go see it in person. Always view the property in person before handing over any money, in the case of renting.
• Ask the landlord for a written lease or rent book before paying any money.
• Always check the keys you have been given fit in the lock and work properly.
• Keep copies of all your correspondence between yourself and the advertiser, including bank details and the advertisement itself.

Lastly, did you know in Ireland landlords are required to register all their tenancies?
Check the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) Register to ensure the property you’re looking as is registered and legitimate.