Starting university is exciting, but finding somewhere safe to live should not come with the risk of losing your money to a scammer. Every year, thousands of students, both UK and international, lose deposits and rent to fake landlords, cloned adverts and fraudulent agents. This article contains everything you need to know to protect yourself.

Why students are targeted

Scammers know that students are often searching for accommodation from a distance, under time pressure, and sometimes without knowledge of the local rental market. International students are particularly vulnerable, as they may not be familiar with UK tenancy law or how to check if a property or landlord is genuine.

Common types of housing scams

• Fake listings – Attractive photos, a good location, and a very low price can be tempting. You pay a deposit, but then the "landlord" suddenly disappears.
• Cloned adverts – Someone copies a real property listing and reposts it with different contact details, often on websites like Facebook, Gumtree or WhatsApp groups.
• "Pay before you view" scams – The landlord claims they are out of the country or not available, and then they ask for money before you have seen the property in person or on a video call.
• Fake agents or landlords – The property may be real, but the person offering it for rent is not the real owner or does not have permission to rent it out.
• No written contract – You're told a contract "Isn't necessary" or will be "sorted later."

Red flags to watch for

• The rent is much cheaper than similar properties nearby.
• You feel pressured to pay right away, or you might lose the room.
• There’s no option to view the property in person or through a live video.
• They ask for payment via bank transfer to a personal account, cash, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram.
• No mention of deposit protection.

Keeping yourself safe

1. Always view before you pay: Never send money for a property you haven't seen - either in person or through a live video call (not just pre-recorded photos or videos).

2. Know exactly what you're paying for: Before you pay any money, get written confirmation of what the payment covers. Is it just a holding deposit, the security deposit, the first month's rent, or all three? Scammers take advantage of confusion, so ask for a clear breakdown before you pay anything.

3. Check your deposit is protected: By law, your deposit must be placed in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. These schemes include the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). Ask your landlord which scheme they used and check it on the scheme's website. If they cannot or will not tell you, this is a serious warning sign.

4. Do a reverse image search: Copy the property photos into Google Images. If you find them on multiple unrelated listings, it’s probably a scam.

5. Choose independent, verified sources: Instead of only using random social media groups, use your university’s official accommodation office or trusted platforms and letting agents that are registered with ARLA, RICS, SafeAgent, or TPO.

6. Check the property is genuinely registered: Check your local council's website to see if the property has a valid HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) licence if you are sharing with others. You can also check the Land Registry for a small fee of about £7 to find out who owns the property. If the person acting as "landlord" is not the registered owner, be very cautious.

7. Never pay via untraceable methods.
 A legitimate landlord will accept bank transfers or card payments. Avoid paying cash, using cryptocurrency, gift cards, or transfer apps that are not linked to a verified UK account.

If something feels wrong, don't be afraid to report it.

Many students, especially international ones, worry that if they report a problem or make a complaint, it will lead to trouble for them or affect their visa or university status. This is not true. If you report a scam, a bad landlord, or poor living conditions, it will not impact your immigration status or your student record. Universities and councils are here to protect you, not punish you for speaking up.

If you're unsure about a property, a landlord, or you think you've been scammed:

• Complain to your local council: Local councils have teams that handle issues with bad landlords, unlicensed properties, and unsafe housing. You can find your council's process for housing complaints on their website.
• Contact your Student Union Advice Service. They can offer guidance and, if needed, emergency housing support. As a student of the Coventry University Group, Your Students' Union Advice Service offers free, independent and confidential advice on housing issues, including help with contracts, landlord disputes, and emergency support.
• Report to Action Fraud (the UK's national fraud reporting centre) if you've lost money.
• Contact your bank immediately if you've made a payment, to try and stop or reverse it.
• Report the fake advert to the platform it was posted on (Facebook, Gumtree, Spare Room, etc.)

Speaking up early can help you get your money back and protect other students from falling for the same scam.