Experience renting a house and avoiding deposit scams when studying abroad

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

Finding a place to live is the most stressful thing when you first move in, and is also the "land" of scammers. Many students transfer their deposit from Vietnam, only to discover that the house does not exist. This article shares experiences in renting a safe house while studying abroad: signs of fraud, how to check, read the contract and protect the deposit.

Common rental housing scams

According to agencies and international student support sites in Australia and the US, the following scenarios often repeat:

• Fake postings, asking for a deposit in advance: nice, cheap apartment, "landlord" asks to transfer money to reserve the place, sometimes to an account abroad. Once the money was transferred, the keys never arrived.
• Renting a house that doesn't belong to you: thieves take photos from real listings, or rent for a short period of time and then sublet it to many people at the same time.
• Moving in and then being forced to move: a few days after moving in, students were told there was a problem with the house and were moved to a worse place with the same price. If they did not agree, they would lose their deposit.
• Unreasonably keeping passports and deposits: landlords keep passports, collect deposits in excess of the legal limit or do not return the deposit when returning the house.

Warning signs to be aware of

If you encounter one of the signs below, stop and check carefully.

Step-by-step safe rental process

1. Prioritize school channels: dormitories, list of houses introduced by the school, housing support services. Many schools are willing to advise when you are in doubt about a transaction.
2. Consider temporary housing in the first 1–2 weeks (short-term dormitory, homestay) to have time to see the house directly. See article Airport pick up and accommodation for the first days.
3. View the house in person or via live video, check the electrical, water, heating systems, door locks, and mold.
4. Verify the lessor: licensed broker, owner name, real contact information.
5. Read the contract carefully: term, rental price, fees (electricity, water, internet), early termination conditions, rules for guests, pets, repairs.
6. Prepare a condition report with photos and videos with date and time when receiving the house.
7. Pay via channel with documents, keep all receipts and messages.

Compare the types of accommodation included in the article Find housing when studying abroad: dormitory, homestay or renting out.

Protect the deposit and tenant's rights

In many countries, rental deposits are protected by law:

• Australia: bond is usually paid to the state bond management agency, with a legal ceiling; You should receive confirmation of submission.
• UK: with common tenancies, landlords must put the deposit into a government-approved deposit protection scheme.
• Other countries: ask your school's housing office or local consumer protection agency.

When returning the house, clean it up, take photos, and compare with the house receipt record to avoid unreasonable deposit deductions. Other related legal regulations are in the article international students and host country laws.

If you get scammed: what should you do right away?

1. Contact the bank immediately to request to stop or review the transaction.
2. Report to the police and scam reporting platforms (e.g. Scamwatch in Australia).
3. Notify the school, bring photos of messages, postings, and receipts.
4. Report it to the posting platform and warn your friends.

Parents transferring deposits from Vietnam need to be especially careful; Only transfer when you have verified and have a contract. Refer to the article Send money for your children to study abroad and post safe when studying abroad.

When placed air tickets to study abroad tại Vé Du Học, các Booker sẽ gợi ý giờ hạ cánh thuận tiện để bạn nhận phòng, tư vấn hành lý ký gửi 40kg hoặc 2 kiện 23kg và hỗ trợ 24/7 nếu cần đổi ngày bay khi lịch nhận nhà thay đổi.

Frequently asked questions

Should I deposit a house while still in Vietnam?

You should only deposit through the official channel of the school, dormitory or reputable management company with a clear contract. With private rental housing, you should stay temporarily and see the house directly.

Can the landlord request a copy of the passport?

Providing copies to verify identity is normal; but do not give the original passport to anyone to keep.

What should I do if the deposit is unreasonably withheld?

Compare the receipt and return records, contact the deposit management agency or local tenant support service; The school's student office can provide guidance.

Is it safe to sublet a room (sublet) from someone else?

Need to check if the original contract allows sublease and has the consent of the landlord. Otherwise, you may be asked to move out at any time.

A safe place to live is the foundation for a smooth school year. Be patient, verify carefully and don't let time pressure make you make a hasty decision. Need advice on flight itinerary, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918.

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