For students preparing to start or return to college, finding somewhere to live can quickly become stressful.

A room that looks suitable online involves more than agreeing a monthly price, so know exactly what you are signing up for before money changes hands.

1. Start with trusted sources

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Begin with your college or university accommodation office and Students’ Union, and check purpose-built student accommodation providers and established letting websites at the same time.Cast the net widely, but be careful when listings appear only through social media or private messages. An Garda Síochána advises students to deal with recognised letting agencies or trusted sources such as colleges and Students’ Unions.

2. Type of accommodation

Not all student accommodation comes with the same protections. Purpose-built or designated student-specific accommodation, known as SSA, and ordinary private residential tenancies fall under the Residential Tenancies Board. However, “digs”, where a student rents a room in the homeowner’s own home, are generally licence arrangements and do not come under the RTB. Before agreeing to anything, establish which arrangement applies and what rights come with it.

3. See it before you pay

A good photograph is not a viewing. The RTB advises students not to sign a tenancy agreement or pay a deposit before seeing the property in person. This confirms that the accommodation exists, matches the advertisement and is somewhere you would be comfortable living. Be cautious if somebody is pushing for immediate payment or only offer a video viewing.

4. Who are you dealing with?

Before handing over money, make sure you know exactly who you are renting from. If an estate or letting agent is involved, check that they are licensed by the Property Services Regulatory Authority. For private rentals and student-specific accommodation, students can also check the RTB register to see whether the tenancy has been registered.

If dealing directly with a landlord, get clear contact details and know who will be responsible for the property. Remember that digs, where you rent a room in the homeowner’s own home, generally do not require RTB registration.

5. Understand the deposit

For private tenancies, a landlord cannot generally request a deposit of more than one month’s rent or more than one month’s rent in advance. This means students should not normally be asked for more than the equivalent of two months’ rent in total to secure the tenancy.

The RTB recommends getting a receipt showing the amount and date paid and, where possible, avoiding cash.

6. Read the agreement carefully

Do not treat the contract as something to sign and forget. Check the start and end dates, notice requirements, house rules, payment arrangements and the conditions attached to getting your deposit back. In student-specific accommodation, students cannot be required to take a tenancy or licence longer than 41 weeks unless they themselves request a longer term. Any unusual agreement should be put in writing and signed by both sides.

7. The real monthly cost

The advertised rent may not tell the whole story. Ask whether electricity, heating, broadband, bins, laundry or other charges are included and whether there are limits on utilities. Location matters too. A cheaper room further from campus could bring additional bus, train, fuel or parking costs. Working out the full weekly or monthly cost makes it much easier to compare two accommodation options properly.

8. Inspect everything

Rental properties must meet minimum standards such as heating, ventilation, hot and cold water, fire safety, appliances and cooking facilities. Look around carefully when you move in and raise problems promptly. Take dated photographs of your bedroom and shared areas and make sure any existing damage is recorded. An inventory agreed at the beginning can help avoid arguments about damage and deposits later.

9. Check the location

A room may look close to college on a map but make sure the journey actually works for your day-to-day life.

Check public transport times, how long the walk to campus takes and what the area is like in the evening, particularly if you will regularly be coming home after dark. Also consider how easily you can reach shops, work or a train or bus home at weekends. A slightly more expensive room in a convenient location could work out better than a cheaper option with a difficult commute.

10. Warning signs

The pressure to find accommodation can make students vulnerable to fraud. Gardaí have warned of scams involving properties that do not exist, accommodation being offered by someone who has no right to rent it, deposits being taken from several people and cloned or bogus websites.

Never let the fear of losing a room override basic checks. If something does not add up, stop before transferring money and verify the listing independently.

A little caution at the beginning can save a much bigger problem later. Keep copies of agreements and receipts, ask questions before signing and use your college accommodation service, the RTB or the PSRA when you are unsure.