"Explosive" increase in students scammed while looking for housing

The number of reports of students scammed while looking for a room has increased “explosively,” the National Student Union (LSVb) reports. Last year, 9.3 percent of the reports received by the LSVB’s housing hotline concerned fraud. In 2022, that was 1.4 percent, according to a report published on Tuesday.

The housing hotline received reports from students who had paid thousands of euros in deposits for homes that turned out not to exist. Students sometimes also had to pay hundreds of euros to be allowed to view a room. The number of fake advertisements for rooms also seems to have increased “enormously.” Foreign students in particular are the victims, according to the report.

LSVb chairman Abdelkader Karbache says that “it almost seems like organized crime.” However, students who report the crime have no chance, he says. The police don’t help them, he says.

Other reports concerned landlords charging “exorbitant” rents, high brokerage fees, and excessive deposit amounts. It also happens that the deposit is not refunded or that unfair costs are charged. “Private individuals, in particular, do not take rules too seriously,” the report states.

Due to the housing shortage, students accept the situation, and dishonest landlords can continue as they please. According to the LSVb, 23,000 extra rooms are needed for students.