Students warned: Know who you are renting from!
There has been an increase in housing scams as the new term starts, please be wary!
The GUSRC is warning students who are still looking for accommodation to be extra cautious, as some students were recently conned out of hundreds of pounds by people posing as landlords in the West End.
It seems that the scammers had rented a flat on a short-term lease, and then posed as landlords, taking deposits and advance rent in cash from numerous would-be tenants during viewings, and then making an excuse not to provide the keys to the property immediately. When the students turned up a few days later to collect the keys, they found an empty property and other would-be tenants also waiting on the doorstep.
The police have been informed about this latest scam. However, we urge students to be extra careful when responding to adverts from internet sites such as Gumtree, or adverts in shop windows, as these are most open to exploitation by scammers. Where possible, try to rent through a reputable letting agent or Glasgow PAD, and check who the flat is registered to on the Landlord Registration Scotland website.
For more information about finding somewhere to live please see the SRC’s accommodation advice pages.
If you have been scammed in this (or any other) way, please report the matter to Police Scotland on 101.
If you need advice about this or any other aspect of renting, please contact the SRC Advice Centre.