As a Nigerian student preparing to study abroad, finding accommodation before leaving the country should be amongst your priorities, but it is like one more hurdle in an already complicated relocation process. That is, you will arrange a room while still in Nigeria, pay a deposit in a foreign currency and sign a tenancy agreement without physically seeing the property.
Unfortunately, that combination creates an attractive opportunity for rental scammers.
Fake landlords can copy genuine property photographs, advertise nonexistent rooms, impersonate letting agents or pressure students into sending deposits before they have verified the accommodation. The European Education Area warns international students searching through online advertisements to be alert to scams and fake posts.
A reliable international student housing guide diaspora should therefore go beyond finding a cheap room. The real objective is to establish that the property exists, the person offering it has the authority to rent it, the contract is legitimate and your money is going through an appropriate channel.
Your university should be one of your first sources of accommodation information. A lot of universities provide student residences, housing offices, approved accommodation providers or guidance for finding private rentals. Starting there can give you a reliable reference point before you begin searching through social media groups and unfamiliar property websites.
University accommodation can also make the transition easier because you may be dealing with an institution or established provider rather than an unknown individual.
Therefore, if someone claims to be a university housing representative, don’t automatically trust the claim. Contact the university through the telephone number or email address published on its official website and confirm that the person or company is legitimate.
Foreign rental systems are not identical to Nigeria’s or domestic renting.
In England, for example, university students can rent from private landlords or live in university or private halls. The legal arrangement can differ depending on the type of accommodation.
From May 1, 2026, many private student renters in England fall under the assured periodic tenancy framework, although purpose-built student accommodation can operate under different arrangements.
If you are renting privately in England, you may also need to satisfy the applicable right-to-rent requirements. Student accommodation is among the exemptions listed by the UK government.
The lesson is straightforward, so understand the local rules before signing anything. Don’t assume a Nigerian-style rental arrangement applies overseas.
Undoubtedly, a convincing advertisement is not proof that an apartment is genuine.
The FTC says scammers sometimes copy legitimate listings and replace the owner’s or agent’s contact information. They can even create listings for properties that aren’t available or don’t exist.
So, search the property’s full address online. Check whether it appears on the official website of the claimed property manager or agency. Search the landlord or company name alongside terms such as “review,” “complaint” or “scam.”
Also, pay attention to inconsistencies. If the same apartment appears elsewhere with a different landlord, different price or different telephone number, stop the transaction until you establish which listing is genuine.
A virtual viewing can be useful when you’re still in Nigeria, but it is not foolproof. The FTC has warned that scammers can even use copied self-guided tours to make fraudulent listings appear legitimate.
Although everyone wants affordable accommodation, especially an international student working with a limited budget. But an exceptionally cheap apartment in a desirable location deserves scrutiny.
Therefore, compare the advertised rent with similar properties in the same neighborhood. If the difference is substantial, find out why.
Scammers often use attractive prices to get attention. The FTC specifically advises prospective renters to research typical local rents and be wary when an offer is significantly cheaper than comparable properties.
A landlord who says, “Pay today or someone else will take it,” is giving you another reason to slow down.
Don’t assume that the person messaging you actually owns the property. So, ask for the landlord’s or management company’s full details. If an agent is involved, independently obtain the agency’s contact information from its official website and call to confirm that the agent and property are genuine.
Never rely exclusively on the telephone number, email address or social-media account provided in an advertisement.
Where local property or business records are publicly available, use them to verify ownership or the agency’s identity.
Don’t allow excitement about securing accommodation to make you sign a contract you haven’t read.
Check the monthly rent, deposit, tenancy period, payment dates, utilities, maintenance obligations, internet arrangements, cancellation provisions and conditions for ending the tenancy.
Also check whether the advertised rent excludes mandatory charges.
The UK government notes that a tenancy agreement sets out the legal terms and conditions of the arrangement, including the responsibilities of the tenant and landlord.
Meanwhile, if you don’t understand a clause, ask your university’s housing service or an appropriate tenant-support organisation before signing.
The payment stage is where many rental scams become expensive.
Don’t send money simply because someone says the property is “reserved” for you.
The FTC also warns against landlords who insist on payment through methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards or certain wire-transfer services because these payments can be extremely difficult to recover.
Before paying, confirm the recipient’s identity and ensure the payment details match the legitimate landlord or property manager.
Keep copies of the signed agreement, invoices, receipts, emails and payment confirmations.
Also be cautious about requests for sensitive personal information before you’ve established that the rental is genuine. Fraudsters may use information collected through fake applications for identity theft.
The cheapest advertised rent isn’t necessarily the cheapest accommodation.
Your actual housing budget may include utilities, internet, transportation, insurance and other mandatory charges. A room far from campus may appear cheaper but cost considerably more once daily transportation is included.
For an international student, location matters too. Reliable public transportation, proximity to campus, grocery stores and essential services can make the first few months abroad considerably easier.
Sometimes, the safest decision is to delay a long-term rental. If you can not independently verify a private property before leaving Nigeria, consider legitimate short-term accommodation while you inspect permanent options after arrival.
Your university may also have temporary housing information for newly arriving students.
It is better to spend a little more on verified short-term accommodation than to transfer a large deposit to someone you have never met for a property you cannot confirm.
If you’ve already paid and believe the rental is fraudulent, preserve everything: screenshots, messages, contracts, payment receipts, bank details and the original advertisement.
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to ask what recovery options are available.
You should also report the listing to the platform where you found it and to the appropriate authorities in the destination country. In Canada, for example, the government provides dedicated guidance for international students and other newcomers dealing with fraud.
Don’t delete the conversation with the suspected scammer. Those records can become useful evidence.
Finding foreign accommodation from Nigeria is possible, but speed should never replace verification.
The safest approach is to begin with your university, research the local rental system, independently verify the property and landlord, examine the tenancy agreement and use a legitimate payment process.
Most importantly, don’t allow a supposedly limited-time opportunity to pressure you into sending money before you’ve done your checks.
For an international student, accommodation is supposed to provide a secure base for studying and settling into a new country. Taking the time to verify it before leaving Nigeria can help you ensure that your first days in abroad begin with a home, and not a costly rental scam.
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