Gardaí are warning third level students about potential rental scams as the new college year looms ever closer.

On An Garda Síochana's website, a post has been published telling people to be "wary" of certain houses or apartments "if the rent sounds too good to be true." Rental scams are a problem all year round, but they tend to become more prominent towards the end of the summer months when third level students are getting ready to return to college. Gardaí provided a list of tips for students, and everybody, to keep in mind when trying to find somewhere new to rent. They advise the following:

• "Use online maps to verify the existence and address of the property.
• Always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented.
• If you are dealing with an agent, check if they are from a reputable agency.
• Ask for identification, a drivers licence & business card etc.
• Beware of incorrect contact details and phone numbers. "

It is also advised to see the inside of an apartment or house before paying a deposit. Once accommodation has been agreed upon, students must make sure that they:

• "Pay the deposit to the Landlord and not the persons leaving the property.
• Use cheques or bank drafts to pay the deposit and keep copies of receipts of payments and any correspondence."

The warning also encouraged people to contact Gardaí if they are in any way suspicious about the rental of a property. According to daft.ie, the most common indicators of a rental scam are a landlord who says they are out of the country, requests for money to be sent electronically, multiple typos in emails, or a landlord who says they cannot meet due to a "sob story" such as financial or family-related issues.