Students – beware of bogus landlord scam

Students looking to secure rental accommodation for the term ahead should be wary of bogus landlords demanding full payment or large deposits upfront. 

The fraudsters take deposits from a large number of students looking to rent a property – which they may not even own – and then disappear, leaving the students out of pocket and without accommodation, warns online cash provider UKash. 

“It is incredibly distressing to learn that students are being targeted by these fraudsters, particularly as money is often already very tight for students,” says David Cox of Ukash.

“We want to remind people that Ukash should only be used to pay online and at genuine websites, never to pay deposits or the voucher itself handed over to anyone you do not know or trust.”

Anyone who realises they have been scammed should report the crime to Action Fraud UK immediately on 0300 123 2040.

The National Union of Students offers the following top tips to avoid losing out:

Never pay a 'holding deposit’, rent or any money without visiting a property. Satisfy yourself that the landlord is legitimate and has rights to rent the property and take a friend with you when you visit. A formal contract should be signed before any money changes hands.

Avoid paying money online. Payments should not be made via money transfer companies such as Western Union and Moneygram; their advice is clear - only use money transfer to send money to people that you know and trust.

Make sure the advert looks legitimate: avoid adverts with no photographs of the property or where multiple adverts have the same photographs.

Check the contact details: Look for telephone numbers that are based in the UK. Often rental scam adverts only allow contact via email, however, also be wary of telephone numbers beginning 070, which are non-geographic business numbers. Check that landline numbers work as these are often fax numbers that fraudsters find on the internet.

Use a trusted letting agent or landlord: ask your students’ union or accommodation office about trusted or approved lists or look for accreditation membership of bodies such as the RLA, so if something does happen you will have a system of redress.

Protect your deposit: Where a deposit is taken other than a 'holding deposit', the money must be paid into a deposit scheme approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Further information about the scheme and tenant's rights can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website.

Richard Williams

If you are moving into rented accommodation, then protect your possessions with contents insurance from Discount Landlord.