Warning - Accommodation Scams

Students are being targeted by people pretending to be landlords. Students who have not yet visited accommodation being advertised are told to transfer money into bank accounts or through money transfer companies. A number of students have lost thousands of dollars.

• DO NOT transfer money to someone that you have not met in person
• DO NOT transfer money for accommodation you have not inspected (Note: there are exceptions to this – temporary accommodation at a hotel, hostel, etc)
• DO NOT sign contracts for accommodation you have not inspected
• DO NOT provide a copy of your passport, or unnecessary personal information such as your date of birth or passport details
• DO NOT provide your bank account details
• ALWAYS get receipts for money you pay for your accommodation

If the rent seems too good to be true, then it probably is. On average you should expect to pay approximately $160-$220 per week for your own bedroom in a shared house or flat, more if you live on your own.

Always inspect advertised properties in person, before paying any money. If you are coming to University from outside Sydney, arrange short-term temporary accommodation for your arrival, so you have somewhere to stay while you look for accommodation. Go to our Temporary accommodation page for lists of local temporary accommodation.

More information and getting help

If you have a complaint about accommodation found through a listing on the Accommodation Service website, please contact us.

If your landlord makes threats to report you, about payment of rent or fines, please seek advice from the SRC or SUPRA.

For information about current scams and how to avoid them, visit:

• NSW Fair Trading: Scams
• Scamwatch

To report a scam and for advice and legal help, please contact:

• SRC - (for undergraduate students) E: help@src.usyd.edu.au
• SUPRA (for postgraduate students) E: help@supra.usyd.edu.au
• You may also wish to report it to the Police.

Tenancy Resources

For information about your legal rights and responsibilities, and some helpful tips, use these links:

• Renting and sharing accommodation
• Tenancy advice services
• Resources for landlords
• See our Frequently asked questions page.
• Definitions of different types of accommodation

Renting and sharing accommodation

Before renting a property or moving into share accommodation find out about your rights and responsibilities under NSW tenancy laws.

NSW Fair Trading is the state government department that safeguards the rights of landlords and tenants, through the Residential Tenancies Act 2010.

Renting a property

The following resources provide information about all aspects of renting a property:

• Renting a home.
• New tenant checklist
• Starting a tenancy
• During a tenancy
• Ending a tenancy
• Resolving renting problems
• Tenants NSW Factsheets provide detailed information about all aspects of renting a property as well as sample letters to assist you with tenancy issues.

Sharing accommodation

The following resources will help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities in share accommodation:

• NSW Fair Trading: Sharing a rented home
• Tenants NSW Factsheet: Share housing describes what it means to be the head-tenant, co-tenant, sub-tenant or boarder or lodger.
• Tenants NSW Factsheet: Transfer and sub-letting explains how to transfer your tenancy or sublet a part of a property.
• In some share situations, you may be classified as a "Boarder" or "lodger", or an "additional occupant". Find out about what it means to be a Boarder or lodger.
• If you are paying your rental bond to the person you are replacing in a share house, you should complete and lodge a Change of Shared Tenancy Arrangement form
• The Share Housing Survival Guide provides helpful information to students about the legal and cultural aspects of looking for and living in share accommodation.
• People living in share accommodation with the owner or leaseholder of the property can formalise their arrangement using a Residential Tenancy Agreement. To do this download a standard Residential Tenancy Agreement and Condition Report from the NSW Fair Trading website.

Rental bonds

Get information about rental bonds and download bond management forms from:

• Tenants NSW Factsheet: Bond
• NSW Fair Trading: Getting your bond back
• Download Bond Transfer, Change of Shared Tenancy Arrangement and Bond Refund forms

Additional tenancy resources

• Link to all the Tenants NSW Factsheets
• Our guide to Renting in Sydney provides advice to help you find and secure a rental property.
• The SRC offer a helpful guide to applying for rental accommodation with their SRC Accommodation Checklist

Tenancy advice services

For legal advice & advocacy go to:

• Students Representative Council - for undergraduate students
• SUPRA - for postgraduate students

You could also visit the Community Legal Centre in the area where you live:

• Redfern Legal Centre if you live near the Camperdown or Darlington campuses.
• Inner Western Sydney Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service if you live in the inner west.
• For other areas see the National Association of Community Legal Centres for details.
• The Tenants Union of NSW provides advice and information for tenants through its website Tenants NSW.

Contact the Accommodation Officers if you are unsure who can help.

Resources for landlords

For information about renting your property go to:

• The Being a landlord section of the Office of Fair Trading website. They are the body governing the Residential Tenancies Act.
• It's easy to protect yourself and your tenants with a contract. Download a standard Residential Tenancy Agreement and most bond management forms from the Office of Fair Trading website.
• If you are renting your property through a real estate agent, they will be able to provide you with more information, and take care of the legal aspects of renting your property.

For information about offering accommodation in your own home:

• Please read the information on the Office of Fair Trading website about ‘Being a Landlord’.
• If you are offering accommodation in your own home you can use a Residential Tenancy Agreement to have a formal contract with your tenant for their own room. Or you can offer a less formal arrangement. Please remember that you and your tenant have rights and responsibilities with a written or verbal agreement and it is important that you are aware of these.
• We recommend you lodge the rental bond with the NSW Fair Trading. You can download most bond management forms from their website.
• Please contact the Accommodation Officers if you require more information.