A former UCD Students’ Union President and Clarecastle native claims a lack of regulation in the college accommodation market is putting students at risk.
With accommodation scarcity a pressing issue across all major students areas, Gardaí have observed a rise of almost 40% in accommodation fraud.
As 1,400 Clare students get ready to receive their Leaving Cert results next week, families across the county are scrambling to secure college accommodation before the semester begins.
With suitable accommodation a scarcity, a cohort of scammers have capitalised on the issue through accommodation fraud.
Gardaí have observed a 38% surge in fraud of this nature from 2021 to 2022 and have noted that one third of such fraud instances take place in the months of August and September.
A former UCD Students’ Union President and Welfare Officer believes the lack of regulation in the college accommodation market has enabled fraud of this level.
Clarecastle native Ruairí Power says the lack of enforcement and policing around minimum eviction notice periods, the Deposit Retention Scheme and Rent Pressure Zones enables some landlords to act in an unscrupulous manner.
Housing charity Threshold is reminding students of the measures that can be taken to prevent them from falling for an accommodation scam.
A study from the Irish Council for International Students has found that almost one in seven international students has been the victim of a housing scam in Ireland while Gardaí estimate €2 million has been lost in accommodation scams in the last five years.
Threshold Western Regional Manager Graham Martin is advising students to thoroughly inspect the licence agreement and premises prior to entering into a tenancy.
You can listen to the full interview below.
