Overview

SafeAbroad analysts have assessed that securing safe, affordable and reliable accommodation is one of the crucial, yet challenging hurdles for students studying abroad. International students often search for accommodation prior to arrival to a new country, meaning they have to make financial and personal commitments without physically seeing the property or understanding the rental systems. The increase in demand for student accommodation, in conjunction with the limited supply available in university cities has intensified the competition for the accommodation that is available. These situations create opportunities for scams, unfair rental practices, misinformation and difficulty understanding affordable housing. International students are particularly vulnerable because they have limited local knowledge, rental history, language confidence, or access to traditional housing requirements such as local guarantors.

Key Takeaways

1. Shortages in available accommodation creates extreme competition which leaves fewer reliable options for students. There are many popular study abroad destinations, such as London, United Kingdom, Sydney, Australia and Amsterdam, Netherlands, that do not have enough affordable or reliable student accommodation. The lack of rental availability forces students to rely on informal housing channels and accept unsuitable accommodation options, increasing their exposure to unreliable listings and rental agreements.¹ 
2. International students are prime targets when it comes to housing scams. Students searching and applying for accommodations remotely are often pressured into paying deposits from fake listings, non-existent properties, or misleading agreements. Due to the challenges of searching remotely and navigating unfamiliar international rental markets, laws, and housing regulations, students are more vulnerable to fraudulent advertisements, potentially resulting in significant financial loss.²
3. Financial pressure and deadlines degrade students’ abilities to make good decisions regarding housing.  Due to high demands for accommodation and deadlines for students before the international arrival, this can push students to make unsafe decisions. These decisions include, no confirmation of a property, paying large upfront fees, or accepting poor quality housing.³

Background

The growing demand for overseas education has increased the pressures on the student housing markets, creating challenges for international students in navigating limited availability, unfamiliar rental systems, and increased exposure to accommodation scams.

Housing supply and availability changes:

Students traveling abroad for study commonly move to cities that already experience high demand for student accommodation. Cities with large university populations, attract both domestic and international students, creating increased competition for a limited number of available rooms and apartments. International students often require accommodation that is ready to live in, including furniture and essential amenities, which can further limit their options. Additionally, they may face greater challenges than domestic students due to unfamiliarity with local housing markets and the need to secure accommodation before arriving in the country.⁴ Housing shortages can lead to higher rental prices, longer searching periods, increased competition between students, limited choice in location and quality and dependence on private landlords or informal housing networks.

Accommodation scams and fraud risks:

Accommodation scams are among the biggest risks associated with securing overseas housing, potentially resulting in financial loss and housing insecurity for overseas student travelers. Scammers take advantage of students who are desperate to secure housing quickly and cannot visit properties in person. The common scam methods include: fake rental listings using stolen photos, landlords requesting deposits before viewing a property, non-existent apartments or rooms, fake agents pretending to represent legitimate housing providers and requests for payment through untraceable methods.⁵

Barriers faced by international students:

International students often face additional barriers compared with local renters, including a lack of local rental history, with many landlords requesting proof of previous renting experience, employment records, or credit history, which new arrivals may not have. Guarantor requirements can cause restrictions and limitations for students. Some countries such as France, Spain and the United Kingdom, require renters to provide a local guarantor who can cover payments if the tenant cannot. This can disadvantage students arriving from overseas. Language and legal barriers can cause issues for students due to having issues with understanding rental contracts, tenant rights, and housing regulations which are difficult for students unfamiliar with the country’s legal system to understand. Limited ability to inspect properties is a common situation for students often being unable to view before securing accommodation while still abroad, making it harder to verify whether listings are genuine.⁶

Traveler Guidance

To reduce the risks associated with securing overseas accommodation, students should approach in a careful and verification-focused approach throughout the search, booking, and relocation process.

Before departure:

• Starting the accommodation search early is one of the most effective ways to reduce pressure and avoid rushed decision-making. Students and program managers should begin researching housing options early in the program planning process, as accommodation in high-demand student cities can become limited well in advance of arrival.

• Students should use trusted and verified sources when searching for accommodation. These include official university housing services, reputable student accommodation providers, and established rental platforms. Relying on informal listings or unverified social media posts should be avoided where possible, as these channels are more commonly associated with scams and misleading advertisements.

• It is important for students to research average rental prices and common contract terms in their destination city. This helps identify unusually low prices or unrealistic offers, which can be indicators of fraudulent listings. Understanding whether deposits, guarantors, or upfront payments are standard practice can also help students assess legitimacy.

• Wherever possible, students should request virtual viewings, video calls with landlords or agents, and written documentation before making any payments. Secure rental agreements should be reviewed carefully, and students should ensure they fully understand the terms and conditions before committing.

• Students should remain cautious of listings that require immediate payment, especially if there is pressure to secure the property quickly. Legitimate landlords and agencies typically allow time for review and verification before requesting deposits.

• Any request for payment through untraceable methods or unusual channels should be treated as a warning sign. Students should prioritise secure and traceable payment methods that provide evidence of transaction history.

• Students should ensure that a formal written rental agreement is provided before transferring any funds. Verbal agreements or informal messages are not sufficient protection in most rental systems and increase the risk of disputes or financial loss.

After securing accommodation:

• Students should keep records of all communications, contracts, and payment receipts in case disputes arise. This documentation is essential for resolving issues with landlords, universities, or legal authorities.

• Upon arrival, students should inspect the property to ensure it matches the listing and agreed conditions. Any discrepancies should be reported immediately to the landlord or accommodation provider.

• If problems arise, students should seek support from university housing offices or local tenant advisory services, which can provide guidance on tenant rights and dispute resolution processes.

1. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/international-students-in-higher-education_005ff28d-en.html ↩︎
2.  https://www.migrantjustice.org/livingprecariously?utm_source ↩︎
3.  https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/06/international-students-face-more-housing-fraud-union-warns/ ↩︎
4. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/international-students-in-higher-education_005ff28d-en.html ↩︎
5. https://www.cursor.tue.nl/en/news/2026/juni/week-4/student-housing-scams-are-becoming-harder-to-spot ↩︎
6. https://www.eaie.org/resource/five-unconventional-proposals-to-tackle-the-lack-of-accommodation-for-international-students.html ↩︎