Solving Ireland's €900k Rental Scam Problem: Trust Homes

The Problem :The rental sector faces serious issues, particularly around accommodation scams. Between February 2019 and May 2021, over 500 rental fraud cases were reported to An Garda Síochána, resulting in approximately €900,000 in losses. Scammers commonly exploit high rental demand by listing fake properties, using photos of legitimate listings, and requesting upfront payments without allowing viewings. Renters today struggle with a lack of profile validation, weak tenant profiling, and overall opacity in the process.

The Solution : Trust Homes aims to build a reliable platform connecting landlords and tenants, with credibility and user experience at its core.

Key features include:

• Security & Validation — Profile filtering, identity verification, and AI-driven matchmaking to ensure authenticity.
• Transparency — Real-time availability tools, approval documentation, and a review/ratings system.
• Community Support — Features for sharing leads, connecting users, and exchanging recommendations.
• End-to-End Services — Support with lease agreements and property listings from start to finish.

I led this project independently, and the concept earned 2nd place at the 2022 NOVA UCD Student Entrepreneurship Competition, with media coverage from RTÉ, The Irish Times, Sync NI, and Silicon Republic.