Student accommodation: How can I tell the genuine from a scam?

Q: My daughter is looking for student accommodation and found a nice room online. The landlord sent photos and a video but can't arrange a viewing because he's abroad and we’ll be away when he returns. He hasn’t pressured us or asked for payment in an unusual way, but he wants a deposit to hold the room.  We are nervous about sending money without seeing it but accommodation is so scarce we're afraid she'll miss out. Should we pay using a secure method? 

Anne, Galway

Anne, you’re absolutely right to be cautious. A landlord being abroad and unable to show you the property in person is a major warning sign of a possible rental scam. 

The fact that you’ve received photos and a video does not prove that the room is genuine. Scammers may copy real rental listings and use fake contact details and can also provide false contracts or even fake keys to make an offer appear legitimate.

The CCPC advises that you should never agree to rent a property you have not viewed in person. You should also complete all relevant checks before paying a deposit or rent. Using a secure payment method may offer some protection if something goes wrong, but it is not a substitute for viewing the room and confirming that the offer is genuine.

Before making any payment:

• Research the advertised property and use online maps to check that it exists and matches the photos provided.
• Compare the rent with similar rooms in the area. A price that appears too good to be true is a warning sign.
• Check the property on the Residential Tenancies Board register.
• View the property in person before handing over a deposit or rent.
• Ask for a written lease or rent book before paying any money.
• Test the keys in the locks yourself to make sure they work.

• Keep the landlord’s contact details and copies of the advertisement and all correspondence.

If you complete these checks and decide to proceed, pay by debit or credit card where possible. This may give you a better chance of recovering your money through chargeback if things go wrong. Make sure the payment is traceable and refundable and always get a written receipt. Do not pay by bank transfer or instant payment and never send copies of passports, bank statements or other sensitive documents until you’re satisfied that the landlord and property are legitimate.

If the landlord cannot facilitate an in-person viewing, do not pay the deposit. Missing out on a room is frustrating, particularly when student accommodation is scarce, but transferring money without seeing the property could leave you with no accommodation and no guarantee of recovering the payment.

Originally published in the Sunday Independent on 6 September 2026:  Your questions answered: ‘We’re €35k shy of the price of a house. Will the First Home Scheme help us bridge that gap?’ | Irish Independent

For more information on student accommodation, rental scams and consumer rights check out the CCPC's Student finances page.