7 Ways To Safely Book Your Overseas Student Accommodation

Thankfully, we have a list of 7 things you must do to avoid scams and minimize any potential risks you might face in the process.

You definitely want to ensure you have your lodgings settled before your school term starts.

The last thing you’d want is a last-minute scramble to secure a living space or worse, having your deposit scammed away!

While you can browse through the papers, Craigslist or even Facebook listings, those come with huge risks. The listings are largely unverified and the platforms there aren’t really concerned about protecting your interests.

It is key to only browse and consider accommodation listings from credible websites such as Student.com or Airbnb.

These websites are specifically designed for accommodation and rental listings, they will verify the landlord and also help give you a layer of security on your deposit and safety as well.

Sometimes a listing or ad can look too good to be true but in this case, it does so by omitting essential information that as a student is extremely important for your living.

This will include the location, especially if it is located near public transportation, a grocery store as well as if the area is safe. You will also want to check for the essentials such as if there are furnishings provided, if Wi-Fi is available and if you can use the kitchen as well as laundry facilities.

You definitely don’t want to be surprised with an additional bill you’d need to pay if your living space is rather bare and empty.

If a deal is too good to be true it probably is, especially if it comes to pricing. Rents are always going up and that means prices are going to be quite consistent and competitive in every area.

If your rent is suddenly much lower than other properties in the neighbourhood and the size of the accommodation is similar, then something might be fishy.

The apartment or home itself could be defective such as broken heating or this might be a scam listing that is just out to take your deposit and run.

One of the core rules of renting an apartment or living space is to check it out physically and have a chat with your landlord to get comfortable with the arrangement.

Now obviously that is impossible unless you are on holiday in your future study destination. This means you should request a virtual chat and a tour with the landlord through the accommodation.

Be sure to enquire about each room and what is provided as he or she takes you through the home both inside, outside and in the immediate vicinity so that you know what you are signing up for!

When conversing with your landlord, you want to ask hard and firm questions such as:

• Is the rent negotiable?

• Can I request more amenities during my stay?

• Where do I collect and return my keys?

The more information you get, the clearer the picture will be if they are genuine or not. Be sure to watch their attitude to see if they get annoyed easily or if they are chasing you to make a decision.

You also would want to see them ask questions about you. A real landlord will always want to ensure the tenant is someone credible who will pay on time as well.

Next up, you want to scrutinize the rental agreement. Be sure that you aren’t pressured in any way to pay any excessive deposit and that you have tenant rights.

This will mean you get to use everything that pertains to your accommodation, from a mailbox to the various amenities and utilities all clearly laid out,

Be sure that all the details, including your particulars and the landlord’s, are clearly spelt out.

And finally, be sure that the agreement is signed and that you are using a service provider like Airbnb to ensure your deposit is protected.

Only then should you wire the deposit and take the next step forward!

Ready to study abroad and pursue the career of your dreams?

Let us help you!

At IDP Singapore, we have a team of education counsellors who can offer tailored guidance and assist you throughout your journey. This includes course selection, choosing the best universities for your needs and just as importantly, helping you attain your student accommodations.

No worries about the course application process, we can help guide you through every step of the way.

Get started with your free counselling session today.