The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has issued a warning regarding bogus letting agents using a PSRA licence number.

A number of fake agents have attempted to extract financial payments from prospective tenants, appearing mainly online.

All letting agents, auctioneers, estate agents and management agents operating in the Republic of Ireland must hold a PSRA licence to provide a property service. The individual licence is a credit card size licence which has the licensee name, photographic identification and a unique 12 digit PSRA licence number. When using a property service provider, it is advisable to ask the property service provider to show you their licence which they are obliged to have available for inspection.

-- Advertisement --

Importantly, the PSRA publishes a public register of Licensed Property Services Providers where you can check the validity of a licence. The register can be found on www.psr.ie and displays both the licensee name and licence number – it is important to check that both the name and number of the agent you are in contact with correspond with the details displayed on the register.

The CEO of the PSRA Ms Maeve Hogan said: "Recent reports regarding bogus letting agents is a matter of grave concern for the PSRA. The month of August is a time when students are starting or returning to college or university and a higher number of lettings take place. Students seeking to rent accommodation are strongly advised to exercise vigilance to ensure they do not fall foul of bogus letting agents and are not using an unlicensed operator."

(CM/MH)