Warning issued over letting agent scam conning money out of prospective tenants

Renters are being urged to exercise vigilance when seeking property.

A warning has been issued over a number of bogus letting agents operating online in an attempt to make money from those looking for accommodation in Dublin. College students are particularly at risk from the scheme, with a number of such fraudsters preying on desperate students in the run-up to the start of the academic year. The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has said that these particular fake agents are purporting to use a PSRA licence number – a required figure used by all Irish letting agents, auctioneers, estate agents and management agents to provide a property service in Ireland. "The individual licence is a credit card size licence which has the licensee name, photographic identification and a unique 12 digit PSRA licence number," the PSRA said. "When using a property service provider, it is advisable to ask the property service provider to show you their licence, which they are obliged to have available for inspection."

These unlicensed letting agents, auctioneers, estate agents and management agents were breaking the law and did not provide any consumer protection, they added.

The PSRA also publishes a public register of Licensed Property Services Providers on their website, where people can check the validity of a licence. This register displays the licensee name and licence number of the property – both of which are important to check, according to the authority. "Recent reports regarding bogus letting agents is a matter of grave concern for the PSRA," CEO Maeve Hogan says. "The month of August is a time when students are starting or returning to college or university and a higher number of lettings take place. "Students seeking to rent accommodation are strongly advised to exercise vigilance to ensure they do not fall foul of bogus letting agents and are not using an unlicensed operator." Should you be in doubt as to whether a letting agent is licensed, you can contact the PSRA on 046-9033-800 or e-mail them at info@psr.ie.