Renting student houses- tips for not getting scammed

[GreenLunchBox]

The London market is crazy. You bid for a house only to be warned you should put 'your best offer' in because seven other parties are after it too. Prices to rent a house are quoted per room per week so that they don't seem as obscene.

Then you get the landlords who want six months rent in advance paid. You're talking tens of thousands of pounds. Does anyone have tips for keeping yourself safe when dealing with private landlords? How do you know you're not sending money to a scammer?

This seems a pretty comprehensive guide

Thanks so much!

Go through an established letting agency or the university accommodation office if there is one (ie not small ads, posters on notice boards etc). Or consider private Halls which are being built hand over fist in London. Or consider living further out - daily price caps on the bus / tube mean it may be more cost effective to look at the margins or not traditional student areas and commute in

Renting in London is horrendous right now. Every rental has dozens of people chasing after it.