Surge in Rental Scams Hits Limerick as Students Seek Housing

Reports of rental scams in Limerick have significantly increased as students enter the back-to-college period and seek accommodation. According to Sergeant Michelle O’Halloran, Crime Prevention Officer at Henry Street Garda Station, the surge in fraud cases typically occurs from August to October. This trend coincides with the release of CAO offers to students completing their Leaving Certificate exams.

“Every year, we see a significant spike in reports of rental fraud during this time,” O’Halloran stated. She noted that approximately one-third of all rental fraud reports happen during this back-to-college window. In the first six months of 2025, reports have already risen by 22% compared to the same timeframe last year, resulting in losses amounting to €385,000. This figure is a concerning indicator, especially when compared to the total losses of €617,000 reported for all of 2024.

Common Scams Targeting Students

O’Halloran highlighted several common scams that students and renters should be aware of. One prevalent tactic involves fraudsters claiming to be out of the country, insisting that they cannot show the property unless a deposit is paid upfront. In other cases, scammers may show a property to multiple prospective tenants, collecting deposits from each before disappearing.

Another alarming trend includes listings for properties that either do not exist or are already occupied. Victims often arrive only to find that the keys do not work and the supposed landlord has vanished. Additionally, O’Halloran warned of reservation fraud, where individuals pay for hotel rooms online and discover upon arrival that the booking does not exist.

Staying Safe: Tips for Renters

To combat these scams, O’Halloran urged students and renters to be vigilant. “If the rent seems too good to be true, exercise extreme caution—especially in cities with high demand for housing,” she advised. Red flags include advertisements that appear solely on social media platforms or landlords who insist on communicating exclusively through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Messenger. A sense of urgency in the communication, such as statements like “pay now, or it’ll be gone,” should also raise suspicion.

The statistics reveal that 34% of victims are under 25 years old, while 66% are under 33. The demographic breakdown shows that approximately 54% of victims are male and 46% female, indicating that these scams affect a broad range of individuals.

To protect themselves, O’Halloran recommends several precautions. Firstly, she emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research. Renters should only engage with recognized letting agencies or landlords recommended through official college channels or student unions. Viewing the property in person before making any payments is crucial, as is confirming that the property is registered with the Residential Tenancies Board, which can be checked online.

Comparing the asking rent with the RTB rent index can help tenants ensure that the prices align with the average rates in the area. Additionally, asking for the exact property address and verifying it on Google Maps can provide further assurance. O’Halloran also suggests conducting a reverse image search of any posted images to check for discrepancies.

Importantly, she warns against making payments in cash or through untraceable methods such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers like Western Union. “Those types of payments are difficult to trace and cannot be reversed,” she cautioned. Ideally, renters should use a credit card, which offers consumer protections in case of fraud.

With the back-to-college period underway, the Limerick Gardaí continue to remind the public to remain vigilant and informed to avoid becoming victims of rental fraud.