How to Find Student Housing Without Getting Scammed

How to Find Student Housing Without Getting Scammed

Finding a place to live as a student is already stressful enough—you don’t need to add getting scammed into the mix. With more listings online than ever, it’s easy to fall into a trap if you’re not careful. Here’s how to stay safe and find legit housing without getting ripped off.

1. Start with Solid Research

Before you jump into apartment hunting, take time to figure out what kind of housing makes sense for you. Dorms? Shared apartments? Studios? Know what fits your budget and lifestyle so you can filter out the stuff you don’t need to waste time on.

2. Stick to Trusted Platforms

Use legit websites like your university’s housing portal, Zillow, Apartments.com, or even local property management companies. Be extra cautious with Facebook groups or unknown sites—while there are good listings out there, scams are more common in those spaces.

3. Double-Check Every Listing

If a place looks amazing and the price seems unreal… that’s a red flag. Use Google Maps to check if the address actually exists. Try to find reviews or past tenant experiences online. You can also reverse-image search listing photos to see if they were stolen from other sites.

4. Always See the Place (or Video Tour It)

If you can’t view the place in person, ask for a live video tour. Pre-recorded videos can be faked, so make sure you’re actually speaking with the landlord or property manager in real time. If they avoid calls, rush you, or seem sketchy—it’s not worth the risk.

5. Never Pay Before Signing

A common scam is asking for a deposit before you’ve even seen the apartment or signed a lease. Don’t do it. No legit landlord will demand money upfront without paperwork. If they say the place will be gone in 10 minutes unless you pay—run.

6. Read the Lease Carefully

When you do get to the lease stage, read everything. Look for details about rent, utilities, the length of the lease, deposit refund rules, and any strange clauses. Ask questions if anything sounds confusing. If they refuse to clarify or change shady terms, walk away.

7. Trust Your Gut

If something feels off—even if you can’t explain why—listen to that feeling. Scammers often rely on creating urgency or making you feel bad for asking questions. You’re not being difficult—you’re protecting yourself.

Final Thoughts

Finding student housing doesn’t have to feel like walking through a minefield. Be smart, take your time, and don’t rush into anything that seems sketchy. The right place is out there—and it’s way better to be safe than sorry.