Rental & Housing Scams
Rental and housing scams post attractive listings, often with photos copied from real ads, at below-market prices. The 'landlord' is usually away or abroad and asks for a deposit or first month's rent before any viewing, often by wire transfer, e-transfer, or gift card. Once the money is sent, the listing and contact disappear.
Common red flags
- A landlord who cannot show the property in person or by live video
- A request for a deposit or holding fee before any viewing
- Rent that is unusually cheap for the area
- Pressure to pay quickly because of 'other interested tenants'
- Payment requested by wire transfer, e-transfer, or gift card
Rental scam guides
Rental Deposit Scam
This scam advertises a desirable rental at a low price and demands a deposit before any viewing, then disappears once you pay.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Rental Application Fee Scam
This scam uses a fake landlord or agent who asks for an upfront application, holding, or background-check fee, often by e-transfer or gift card, before any viewing, then disappears once the money is sent.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Vacation Rental Scam
This scam uses a fake or hijacked holiday rental listing, often with copied photos and a below-market price, to pressure you into paying a deposit off-platform by bank transfer for a property that is not actually available.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Cloned Rental Listing Scam
In this scam, someone copies a genuine rental listing's photos and description and reposts it at a lower price under their own contact details. They then ask for a deposit or first month's rent before any viewing, then disappear once paid.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Rent-to-Own Scam
In this scam a fake or deceptive rent-to-own offer collects an upfront option fee or deposit and inflated rent toward a 'future purchase' that never happens, often for a property the scammer does not own or cannot sell.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Student Accommodation Scam
This scam uses fake student housing listings, often near term start, asking for a holding deposit or first month's rent before any viewing, sometimes targeting international students, for a room that is unavailable or does not exist.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Guarantor Service Scam
Guarantor service scams target renters who lack a guarantor by offering a 'rent guarantor' or 'rent-now-pay-later' service. They charge upfront fees or collect bank and ID details for a guarantee that is never actually provided, or that proves worthless when a landlord tries to rely on it. The renter is left out of pocket and exposed to identity risk.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Sublet Scam
In a sublet scam, someone advertises a sublet or short-term lease takeover for a property they do not actually control. They collect a deposit and rent upfront from a tenant who cannot view or move in, sometimes for a home they are simultaneously scamming several other people on. By the time the tenant arrives, the lister has disappeared and the legitimate occupant or landlord knows nothing about the arrangement. Verifying the property and the lister's right to sublet before paying is key.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Fake Letting Agent Scam
A fake letting agent or 'property manager' posts convincing rental adverts, sometimes copied from real listings, then collects holding deposits, referencing fees or a first month's rent from several hopeful applicants at once. Once the money is in, the agent disappears and the property is never let. Verifying the agent is genuine and refusing to pay before viewing the property and seeing proper contracts are the strongest protections.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Airbnb Off-Platform Payment Scam
In this scam, a 'host' on a holiday-rental platform asks you to pay by bank transfer or another off-platform method for a discount or to 'avoid fees', removing the platform's protection for a property that may not exist.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Roommate Deposit Scam
In this scam, a supposed roommate or subletter either takes your deposit for a room they do not control, or overpays you with a fake check or transfer as an incoming tenant and asks for the difference back.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Housing Voucher Scam
This scam targets people seeking affordable housing by promising guaranteed housing vouchers, rental assistance, or priority placement in exchange for a fee or personal and bank details, none of which deliver real help.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Military Housing Scam
In this scam, fake listings target military members relocating on short notice, offering discounts for service and demanding a deposit before any viewing for homes that are not available.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Parking Space Rental Scam
In this scam, a parking space, driveway, or garage is advertised for rent in a busy area, but the lister demands a deposit or first month before viewing for a spot that does not exist or is not theirs to rent.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Storage Unit Rental Scam
In this scam, a cheap self-storage unit is advertised online, but the 'operator' demands a deposit or first month before any visit for a unit or facility that does not exist or is not theirs.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Commercial Rental Scam
In this scam, office, retail, or warehouse space is advertised at attractive rates, but the 'landlord' or 'agent' demands a deposit or first month before any viewing or proper paperwork for premises they do not control.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Cleaning Deposit Scam
In this scam, a holiday or rental host falsely claims you caused damage or extra cleaning after your stay, charging your card or withholding your deposit using fabricated photos or vague claims.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Home Swap Scam
In this scam, a home-exchange or house-swap 'partner' uses a fake or copied listing, then asks for a deposit, membership fee, or off-platform arrangement for a home that does not exist or is not theirs.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Mobile Home Lot Rental Scam
In this scam, a mobile home, trailer, or park lot is advertised cheaply, but the 'owner' or 'manager' demands a deposit or first month before any viewing for a lot or home that is not theirs or does not exist.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Rent Payment Portal Scam
In this scam, tenants receive a fake rent payment portal link or 'updated landlord bank details', diverting their rent to a scammer instead of the genuine landlord or letting agent.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Deposit Replacement Loan Scam
In this scam, a fake deposit replacement or deposit loan scheme offers to cover your rental deposit for a fee, then takes the fee and your details without providing any genuine cover or loan.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Lease Takeover Scam
In this scam, someone offers to transfer their apartment lease to you, often citing a sudden move, then demands a deposit or first month before any viewing or verification for a tenancy they cannot transfer or do not hold.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Serviced Apartment Scam
In this scam, a serviced apartment or aparthotel is advertised for a short stay, but the 'host' pushes off-platform payment or uses a fake listing, taking your money for accommodation that does not exist or is not theirs.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Eviction Threat Scam
In this scam, a message impersonating your landlord or letting agent claims you are in arrears and threatens eviction unless you pay immediately to a new account, diverting your rent to a scammer.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Caravan Pitch Fee Scam
In this scam, a holiday park pitch, static caravan plot, or siting agreement is offered cheaply, but the 'operator' demands upfront pitch fees or deposits for a plot that does not exist or is not theirs to let.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Property Viewing Fee Scam
In this scam, a 'landlord' or 'agent' demands a fee simply to arrange a viewing of a rental property, taking the money for a viewing that never happens or a property that is not available.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Shared Ownership Scam
In this scam, a fake shared ownership or part-buy part-rent housing scheme offers an affordable route onto the property ladder, then takes deposits, reservation, or 'eligibility' fees for homes and schemes that do not exist.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Frequently asked questions
Should I ever pay a deposit before seeing a rental?
How can I tell if a listing is stolen?
What payment methods are safest for rentals?
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