Beware of rental scams, says student union vice-president

Vincent Hynes, the Dublin City University vice-president for Academic Life, who is originally from Killucan, has some timely advice for Westmeath students following the release of the Leaving Cert results on Friday.

“There is high demand for accommodation and scams have become highly common online,” said Vincent. “Many fall victim to false accommodation scams every year, so I recommend the Threshold Scamwatch advice.” That advice is based on three principles: inspect the property in person; use secure payment methods and a contract; and trust your instinct and seek help.

Vincent studied International Relations and was elected to his current position in February 2026. He has commuted to college, and rented, and he now hears directly from students about trouble with accommodation, and the rise in student rental scams, I wish to warn fellow students seeking accommodation from Westmeath or planning to commute to Dublin.

“Current pressures and demand for student accommodation and fewer and fewer beds for a growing third-level population have led to a surge in students availing of rent-a-room accommodation,” he said in an interview with the Westmeath Examiner.

“The lack of university accommodation, unaffordable rents and students desperately seeking beds in time for the new academic year are fertile ground for scammers.”

Vincent explained that a ‘student rental scam’ is when a property or accommodation sounding ideal for a student is falsely advertised online, but is non-existent; it is a trap to lure people in.

“Students often pay for the room, show up on the day and find it doesn’t exist. Some have thousands of euro – and end up with no accommodation when the term begins.”

He said some scammers even do false property showings and when the student attempts to move in, they discover that the property was rented online, the landlord was unaware it was used for showings, and the scammer has long gone.

“Students and parents need to stay actively vigilant,” said Vincent.

The CAO offers are out on Wednesday and Vincent recommends ‘Studentpad’, sites often run by the university or students union. As users are verified, scammers are prevented from accessing the sites without proper credentials. Rents are capped and affordable on minimum wage jobs, and landlords agree to provide access to the kitchen and bathroom that others online may not offer.

DCU, TUD, UCD, Maynooth, IADT have studentpad sites; Trinity uses the TCDSU Accommodation Advisory.

Many students commute to college in Dublin, and Vincent knows that road, having spent four or five hours a day going between Killucan and the capital.

It is cheaper than renting in Dublin but there are other costs: “Isolation, missed opportunities and long travel times affect the student experience severely, and commuting does still cost a substantial amount,” said.

“Missing social events to get to know people or having to watch an event from a phone can cause students to feel isolated. University society events – a chance to socialise with people of shared interests – are also a missed opportunity for personal growth. The student experience changed substantially even over my four years in college, and is a completely different world to that of our parents.”

Vincent and Nicole Bulalacao from TUD Student Union are planning to set up a Westmeath student group that will advocate for better public transport for students between Dublin and Athlone, so even though students may not have accommodation, they don’t miss out on the student experience our parents would’ve had.

Concluding, Vincent said: “I would have two words of advice to young adults taking their next step in life that aren’t particularly centred on heading into education: enjoy all that comes next, and two keep in touch with your roots.

“Leaving the comfortable routine of secondary school can be an uncertain, nervous time for young adults. Don’t be afraid to chase new opportunities – there will be ups and downs, but there is much to enjoy.

“Although there are stresses on young adults today, there is still a lot to experience, new people to meet, a world to explore and a chance to develop personally with the independence you may never have had before.

“Young people may feel homesick, but the best remedy is to make sure to keep in touch with friends you grew up with. Catch up with old friends back at home when possible, at weekends, Christmas or summer holidays. Your time can be consumed by the new life outside Westmeath, but keeping in touch with those you have grown up with will keep you grounded to back home.”