Rental Listing Scams in Czechia
Fraudulent rental ads on Sreality.cz and Facebook targeting Czech house-hunters, collecting CZK deposits for properties that are not available.
Part of: Rental Listing Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Czechia's tight housing market — particularly in Prague and Brno — is exploited by rental scammers who post convincing fake listings on Sreality.cz and Facebook Marketplace. Victims pay CZK deposits and first-month rent to landlords they never meet, for properties they cannot access.
Dtest (Czech consumer testing organisation) and Sdružení obrany spotřebitelů have documented rental fraud as a growing category. Prague's historically high demand-to-supply ratio means below-market listings attract immediate responses.
How this scam works on Czechia
A Prague apartment listing appears on Sreality at CZK 3,000–5,000 below the going rate. The 'landlord' communicates only by email or WhatsApp, claiming to be abroad on business in Germany or the UK.
They request first-month rent plus security deposit via bank transfer to 'reserve' the flat before their return. After payment, contact ceases and the listing is removed.
Some operations send professional-looking Czech-language nájemní smlouvy (tenancy agreements) with a fabricated IČO number to add apparent legitimacy.
Common red flags
- Nájemné (rent) substantially below the market rate in the district
- Landlord communicates only digitally, refuses in-person prohlídka (viewing)
- Full deposit requested before viewing
- Landlord claims to be abroad and will arrange předání klíčů (key handover) on return
- IČO in the tenancy agreement cannot be verified at rzp.cz or justice.cz
- Listing photos appear on other Czech property sites via reverse-image search
How to protect yourself
- Always attend an in-person prohlídka before paying any záloha (deposit)
- Verify property ownership via the Czech land register (katastr nemovitostí) at cuzk.cz
- Use a standard Czech nájemní smlouva (tenancy agreement) template from dtest.cz
- Pay deposits only via bank transfer to a verified IBAN matching the landlord's identity
- Consult Sdružení obrany spotřebitelů at spotrebitele.cz for guidance
- Report fake listings to Sreality.cz via their reporting function
How to report it
- Flag the listing on Sreality.cz
- File a trestní oznámení (criminal complaint) at policie.cz
- Seek guidance from Sdružení obrany spotřebitelů at spotrebitele.cz
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to sign a Czech nájemní smlouva (tenancy agreement) before meeting the landlord?
Signing a lease document doesn't protect you if the landlord isn't genuine — a fabricated IČO or ID can appear alongside a convincing contract. Always insist on an in-person viewing before paying anything, regardless of how official the paperwork looks.
I found the same Prague apartment photos on another site under a different name — what does that mean?
This is a strong indicator the photos were taken from a real listing or a previous rental and reused fraudulently. Report the listing to Sreality.cz and avoid any further contact with that advertiser.
What should I do if I already sent a deposit for a Czech rental I never saw?
File a trestní oznámení (criminal complaint) at policie.cz as soon as possible and contact your bank to ask about reversing the transfer. Recovery isn't guaranteed, but prompt reporting improves the odds if the account is later frozen.
How can I verify a Prague landlord's identity before paying a deposit?
Ask for a copy of their citizen ID and verify property ownership in the Czech katastr nemovitostí at cuzk.cz. A legitimate landlord will welcome this verification.