One in 20 international students exposed to sex for rent proposals from landlords

More than one tenth of overseas students say they have been a victim of an accommodation scam in Ireland. Picture: Chris Ison/PA Wire

More than one tenth of overseas students say they have been a victim of an accommodation scam in Ireland, with one reporting of being asked for “viewing” fees of €100 to see a property.

A total of 819 international students from 73 countries took part in the survey by the Irish Council for International Students.

While 13% of respondents said that they have been a victim of an accommodation scam during their time in Ireland, only 11% reported the scam to gardaí.

The survey also found that one in 20 students had either been offered a sex for rent proposal, or had seen an advertisement for such an arrangement.

The survey found that:

• 81% of English language students and almost a third (31%) of students studying in higher education share a room with at least one other person.

• 55% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their mental health has suffered due to the housing crisis in Ireland.

• One in 10 respondents said that it took them more than 100 days to find accommodation in Ireland.

• Just 54% of respondents in higher education and 44% of English language students said they have a lease agreement.

• 10% of respondents live more than 15km away from their college or school.

• 10% said they pay more than €1,000 in rent per month.

A Brazilian student called Bruna, who did not want to publish her full name, showed the Irish Examiner messages she had received after she expressed an interest in viewing a property in Dublin.

The message asked for a fee of €100 “for confirmation of appointment – this is because we will not show property to others”.

She found the situation “very scary”.

The message promised that the fee would be refundable – or deducted from the first month’s rent, if she was interested in living in the property.

Bruna said she opted not to go to the see the property as she felt the charge was a scam.

She described looking for a rental property in Ireland as “horrible”, adding that one of the properties she came across had 18 residents.

A male Brazilian student is quoted in the report from ICOS about finding accommodation through an acquaintance, before he got to Ireland. When he arrived here, he was shown the property by the landlord, who told him that “the vacancy was for sleeping on the bed with him and asked if we could have sex”.

Another Brazilian respondent said: “A group of people said that I could only move in if I was willing to have fun with those who lived there and some other people who live there.” 

Executive director of ICOS, Laura Harmon, said: “The housing crisis is jeopardising Ireland’s excellent reputation as a study destination and risks undermining the fantastic work being done in colleges across the country, which go above and beyond to create a quality student experience in Ireland.

“It is important that we listen to first-hand accounts and experiences of students, understand them, and take action to address them. Among a range of other serious issues, we are particularly concerned about the evidence of predators seeking sex in lieu of rent.” 

Among the recommendations in the report is the construction of more affordable, purpose-built student accommodation. It seeks an increase in inspections of private rental properties and follow-up to ensure minimum standards are met. ICOS also seeks a new student accommodation strategy.