The issue of affordable accommodation continues to be the most fundamental issue facing students who are either about to embark on a college career, or simply returning after the summer break.
A USI spokesman told ireland.comthat while availability was slightly up on last year around the country, students were being forced to compete with professionals and many were working up to 30 hours a week to finance themselves through college.
A report in today's Irish Timeshighlights just one of the problems facing students in the property market with the cautionary tale of how three young people seeking accommodation in Galway handed over a €1,000 deposit to a landlord who has since disappeared.
Students were advised today to check out accommodation first hand, to meet the landlord and read leases carefully before handing any money over.
Student leaders in Galway said more accommodation was available but high prices were causing major problems for students.
USI western area officer Mr Dave McCoy said some landlords were demanding "exorbitant deposits" and students were being asked to sign 12 month leases despite their term time being much less.
He said there was little point in having laws and regulations to protect tenants if they are not properly enforced.
The USI called on the Government to ensure that tenants' rights were protected and that students were also offered some measure of protection from "cowboy landlords".
The union is conducting a survey of unregistered landlords which it hopes to publish next week. USI president Mr Will Priestly warned that the results would "not make pleasant reading" for the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen.