DUBLIN – Gardaí are warning the public, especially students, to be vigilant against a significant increase in rental scams as the number of available properties in Ireland dwindles. The warning comes as college admissions begin, a period when these scams typically spike.
According to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), rental scams have risen by 22% in the first half of 2025. This surge is particularly concerning as one-third of all rental scams in 2024 occurred during the college admissions season in August and September.
In the first six months of 2025, approximately 160 rental fraud cases were reported to Gardaí, resulting in a collective loss of €385,000 for victims. In comparison, the total loss for all of 2024 was €617,000.
The most common scam involves fraudsters posing as landlords and demanding an upfront payment or deposit before allowing the potential tenant to view the property. Scammers often claim they are out of the country and will only grant access after the money is transferred. In some cases, a single property is advertised to multiple people, with the scammer collecting deposits from each one before disappearing.
How to Spot a Scam
The GNECB has offered several tips to help the public identify and avoid these scams:
- Unrealistically Low Rent: Be wary of ads for properties in popular urban areas with rents that seem too good to be true. Many of these scams are advertised on social media.
- Pressure Tactics: Scammers often pressure potential renters to make a quick decision, warning that someone else will take the property if they don’t act immediately.
- Lack of Detail: Be suspicious of ads with few photos or with spelling and grammatical errors.
- No Property Viewing: A major red flag is when a “landlord” refuses to let you view the property in person before demanding payment. Never agree to a contract or transfer money without seeing the property and ensuring the keys work.
- Payment Method: Avoid making cash payments. It is safer to transfer funds through a traceable bank account, as this can help Gardaí in their investigation if you are scammed.
Gardaí also recommend that people only use accredited agencies or trusted contacts when searching for accommodation. Additionally, they advise understanding tenant rights and laws in Ireland and checking if a property is registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) before signing any agreement.
