How to Identify Student Accommodation Scams: The most common type of scam that occurs in the student accommodation domain is when someone tries to sell a fake room or apartment to take money from students. These scams are generally prevalent in big cities like Melbourne, London, Manchester and New York in very large numbers as the demand for student accommodation is quite high. Scammers usually target international students as they are not aware of local rules.
If you want to avoid falling prey to these types of scams as an international student, then it is quite important to know how to identify student accommodation scams. To help you become vigilant we have curated this blog where we have covered important tips that will help you become aware. Keep reading further to know more!
Table of contents
Types of Student Accommodation Scams
While looking for student accommodation it is of paramount importance to know various types of scams so that you don’t have to face the repercussions. Mentioned below are the three most common rental scams which you might be looking for accommodation for Indian students in United Kingdom that you should be aware of:
Self Promotion
These online ads generally talk about a wealthy individual who is looking for student rentals. The other case is when the advertiser poses as a student and talks about helping other students by connecting them with their wonderful and honest landlord who does not exist in real.
Hijacked advertisement
In this type of scam, the scammer copies a legitimate advertisement and changes some details like the price or location of the accommodation. The scammer then contacts the student and offers a room for rent in the fake accommodation.
Clickbait advertisement
In this type of scam, the scammer tells the student about an accommodation option that doesn’t exist and lures the student by offering discounts, easy rental payments, etc. Once the student makes the payment, they are not able to contact the scammer.
Also Read: Not sure how to find a place to stay while studying abroad? Our blog will help you – How to Find Student Accommodation For Studying Abroad?
How to Identify the Student Accommodation Scam?
There are many ways through which you can identify the student accommodation. Some of the ways through which you can identify the student accommodation scam are:
Speak With Current Tenants
If the unit is occupied, then the accommodation is generally not fraudulent. If you get a chance then converse with the tenants and try to verify the details the landlord provided you.
Conduct a Basic Search
Use Google to verify details like the landlord’s name, email ID, address and phone number. Always be sceptical of landlords that stay anonymous and you are not able to find any information related to them.
Look out for Too Good to be True Apartment Prices
Always be a little sceptical when the landlord offers you a price that is too good to be true. Usually, a student falls into this type of trap as students generally look out for affordable housing options.
Missing Amenities
In this type of scam, the facilities mentioned in the advertisement do not exist. The landlord scams the tenant by taking the maintenance fees or extra money for the facilities they are not going to provide. To avoid falling into this trap you can contact a trusted rental agent to verify the facilities.
Also Read: Concerned about your safety while choosing a student accommodation? This blog will answer all of your queries – How to Choose Safe Student Accommodation While Studying Abroad?
Tips for Preventing Student Accommodation Scams
Mentioned below are some of the tips that you should follow to prevent scams:
- Never deal in cash or use untraceable payment methods – Avoid paying in cash, wire transfer or hard-to-trace Moneygram, MoneyPak or Bitcoin. These forms of payment are untraceable so refrain from using these payment methods.
- Never confirm the accommodation without seeing – Make sure you visit the place in person to be sure that the place advertised matches the place in real before signing a lease and making the payment. There are cases when the scammer has access to the unit and may pose as a landlord, therefore always insists on viewing the property.
- Refrain from handling your confidential information that can be used for identity theft – Do not provide your bank information or share SIN. Although landlords sometimes may ask for a SIN number to check your credit history. According to Canadian Credit Bureau – Equifax, a landlord can verify your credit history using full name, birth date and current address. You can also do a credit check yourself and have your credit report ready when you begin your housing search. This will allow you to have control over who has access to your credit report. It will also showcase that you are responsible and would further help in moving your rental application speedily.
- Demand a written lease or agreement – Ask the landlord for a written lease in a hard copy. Since you will have proof in your hand, you will not fall into the trap of rental scams.
Warning Signs to Watch Out For
When searching for accommodation abroad, staying alert to potential scams is crucial. Here are some common red flags to help you identify and avoid fraudulent offers:
1. Unrealistically Low Prices
If the price of the accommodation is significantly lower than comparable options in the area, proceed with caution. Scammers often use this tactic to lure students into believing they’ve found a great deal. Always compare prices with similar properties in the area and question why a property is priced so much lower than the market rate.
2. Pressure to Act Quickly
Scammers frequently create a false sense of urgency, claiming there are other interested tenants or that the deal will expire soon. They do this to rush you into making decisions without adequate verification. Always take your time to investigate the property and never feel pressured to pay immediately.
3. Lack of Proper Documentation
Legitimate landlords and agencies provide detailed rental agreements, invoices, and receipts. If the person you’re dealing with avoids sharing official documentation or sends poorly written contracts, it’s a red flag. Always request a formal agreement and ensure it complies with local rental laws.
4. No Option for Property Viewing
A common scam involves refusing or avoiding property viewings, either in person or virtually. The scammer might provide excuses such as being out of town or unavailable to show the property. If you’re unable to see the accommodation in person, request a live video tour where you can interact with the landlord or agent.
5. Untraceable Payment Methods
Scammers often insist on payments through untraceable methods like wire transfers (e.g., Western Union) or cryptocurrency. These methods make it nearly impossible to recover funds if something goes wrong. Always use secure and traceable payment methods, such as credit cards or platforms like PayPal, which offer buyer protection.
What to do if you get scammed?
Once you get to know that you are scammed, make sure that you contact your bank and credit card immediately if you have given your bank details to someone or paid money online. In such cases, banks can easily cancel your cards and secure your account. You can even get your transaction reversed through a chargeback from your card provider.
Also Read: Not sure about the duration for which you can stay in a student accommodation? Our blog will help you greatly – How Long You Can Stay in Student Accommodation?
FAQs
One of the best ways to identify if your accommodation is legit is by verifying the accommodation provider. Look out for things like a working phone number, physical address, and their contact details. Use authentic search engines to verify information about the accommodation provider.
Mentioned below are some of the tips that you should follow to find a good accommodation:
– Select a good location
– Go through the reviews of the place you are considering
– Become familiar with the amenities offered
– Consider the price factor
– Think about the accommodation type which is suitable for you and is in your budget.
Fly Homes is the best website for student accommodation as it has a user-friendly interface. It provides comprehensive information and offers a lot of accommodation options from which students can choose.
– Ask for references from previous tenants.
– Look up reviews of the agency or landlord online.
– Verify their contact details and ask for official identification.
The safest payment methods are those that offer buyer protection, such as:
– Credit cards
– Secure payment platforms like PayPal
– Avoid untraceable methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
– Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report the issue and attempt to recover your funds.
– File a complaint with the local police or consumer protection agencies.
– Inform your university or student union for additional support.
Be cautious of websites that lack secure HTTPS connections, have poorly designed interfaces, or don’t provide verified contact details. Use reputable accommodation platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, or university-recommended services.
– Phishing scams often involve fake emails or websites that mimic legitimate ones. Signs include:
– Misspelled URLs or email addresses
– Unprofessional language or formatting
– Requests for personal information through suspicious links
Yes, student groups and forums are excellent resources. They often have members who share trusted accommodation options and warn others about potential scams. Check social media platforms, university websites, or alumni groups.
– Ensure the rental agreement includes:
– Full property address and description
– Details of the landlord or agency, including contact information
– Terms of payment, including rent, deposit, and refund policies
– Duration of the lease and conditions for termination
We hope you liked this blog where we covered some ways to identify student accommodation scams. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
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