Con artists have their sights fixed on desperate students who are scrambling to find accommodation in Galway City’s dire rental market.

In recent weeks, a number of students have been targeted with one stung for €2,000 by what appeared to be a legitimate property listing online.

Students and their parents have been warned not to hand over any money without fully checking out the property they intend to rent, even if the pressure is on to find somewhere.

And with just over a month to go before students make their return to the city, panic is setting in over the shortage of suitable beds.

Equality and Welfare Officer at University of Galway Students’ Union, Izzy Tiernan, said of the limited and, in many cases, unsuitable accommodation that was available, students were facing eye-wateringly high rents.

Large numbers were turning to digs – a room in a homeowner’s house – but this was fraught with danger, said Izzy who pointed out that there were no regulations to protect students renting a room.

“The average rent that we’re finding for just one room in digs, for five days of week, is €800 to €900 per week,” said the Welfare Officer, explaining that in most instances, students in digs had to vacate their room for the weekend.

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