You've been warned!

As students prepare to start the new college year - people are being warned about rental scams.

Gardaí say you should always meet a prospective landlord in the accommodation to be rented.

Never hand over a deposit until you do so.  

Other advice includes asking for I.D. and keeping copies of receipts of payments.

Students are also being advised to make sure they sign a rental contract before paying over any money.

The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) rent index provides students with important benchmark information and is an authoritative guide as to the actual rents being charged by landlords adjacent to all Universities, ITs and other Third Level colleges.

Caution is advised, if the rent sounds too good to be true.