5 Student Housing Scams to Avoid in Birmingham

Can you differentiate between a potential scam and authentic property when choosing student housing? If you can’t, then don’t worry. You are not alone. A lot of students are vulnerable to housing scams, especially in student cities like Birmingham or London. Scammers and online fraudsters create fake property listings and try to lure students by offering big discounts and low accommodation rent.  

To protect yourself, always verify the property and landlord. Avoid listings with vague descriptions, too-good-to-be-true prices, or demands for upfront payments without a signed lease. On this page, we will discuss seven student housing scams to avoid in Birmingham and other popular student cities in the UK.  

Types of Student Housing Scams in Birmingham 

Fraudsters and scammers are tracking your online activities. When searching for student accommodation in Birmingham, you might receive a call, mail, or SMS from such people, and if you lack knowledge, they will most likely prey on you. Here are some of the common types of student housing scams in Birmingham that you should know of. 

• Fake Property Listings 
• Impersonating of Letting Agents or Landlords 
• Phone Reletting Schemes 
• Advance Rent Scams 
• Subletting Without Permission 

How to Avoid Housing Scams in Birmingham? 

Avoiding student housing scams is very important to live a stress-free life and achieve your academic goals. With the growing number of online housing scams and frauds, law enforcement agencies in the UK and outside are taking necessary steps to limit such unethical activities. Here’s what students can do on their part to avoid housing scams in student cities like Birmingham. 

Always View the Property in Person 

Before making any financial commitment, insist on seeing the property in person. Scammers frequently use fake images or steal photos from other listings to create convincing but fraudulent advertisements. Viewing the property allows you to verify: 

• The existence and condition of the accommodation. 
• Whether it matches the photos and descriptions provided online. 
• The legitimacy of the landlord or agent, as they should be willing to meet in person and provide access for a viewing. 

If the landlord or agent refuses or makes excuses, such as being out of the country, it’s a major red flag. 

Verify the Landlord or Agent’s Identity 

Become smart to differentiate between legitimate landlords and fraudsters.  

Make sure you are dealing with a legitimate landlord or accredited letting agent. You can take several steps to verify their identity: 

• Research their credentials: Check if they are members of professional bodies such as the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) or the Property Ombudsman. Membership in these organizations indicates that the landlord or agent adheres to industry standards and practices. 
• Use University Resources: Many universities, including those in Birmingham, have housing support services or partnerships with trusted letting agents. They can provide a list of recommended agencies or help verify the legitimacy of an independent landlord. 

Use Secure and Traceable Payment Methods 

Legitimate landlords and agencies in the UK will typically require payment via bank transfer or other secure methods. Be wary of any landlord requesting: 

• Cash Payments: This is a common scam tactic. Cash transactions are untraceable, and if something goes wrong, it’s almost impossible to recover your money. 
• Western Union or MoneyGram: These services are often used by scammers because they are difficult to trace and do not provide the same protections as bank transfers  

Never make a payment until you have seen the property and signed a legitimate tenancy agreement. 

Research the Property’s History 

Before proceeding with any rental, investigate the property itself: 

• Google the Address: Conduct a basic online search of the address to verify its existence and ensure it matches the photos provided. You can also use Google Maps to check if the location and building match the listing description. 
• Reverse Image Search: Scammers often use stock images or pictures from other listings. By conducting a reverse image search using Google, you can identify if the photos are taken from other properties or previously used in unrelated advertisements.

Read the Lease Agreement Carefully 

Before making any payment, request a detailed written lease agreement. Verbal agreements provide no legal protection, so try to avoid them. 

A legitimate tenant agreement should include: 

• Rental terms, including the monthly amount and payment schedule. 
• Information about the deposit, including how it will be protected and the circumstances under which it may be withheld. 
• Responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant, such as maintenance duties and emergency contacts. 

If the landlord refuses to provide a written contract or rushes you to sign without giving you time to review it, this is a strong indicator of a potential scam. 

Beware of Subletting Scams 

In some cases, fraudsters rent property and then illegally sublet it to multiple students without the landlord’s knowledge. You can avoid this scam by: 

• Asking for proof that the person renting out the property is authorized to do so (e.g., ownership documents or authorization from the property management). 
• If possible, contact the building’s management or landlord directly to verify that the person advertising the property has the right to rent it out. 

Trust Your Intuition and Seek Advice 

You must always trust your instincts, especially when interacting with the landlord or agent. Suspicious behaviour includes: 

• Refusal to answer basic questions about the property or lease terms. 
• Pressuring you to make immediate payments or sign contracts without adequate review time. 
• Lack of transparency about the property’s location, history, or maintenance records. 

If you have questions, consult university services, legal advisors, or organizations like Shelter UK for assistance. 

Conclusion 

Securing student housing in Birmingham is a challenging task. It is the second largest city in the UK, and with a growing student population and online activities, fraudsters and scammers have found their way into student’s lives. Make sure to follow all the guidelines listed above to avoid housing scams in Birmingham. This way, you will be one step closer to your Birmingham student accommodation. 

Also Read: Tips for Saving Money on Student Accommodation in Cheltenham