Rental Listing Scams in the Netherlands
Fraudulent housing listings on Funda and Kamernet steal deposits from Dutch renters in one of Europe's most competitive rental markets.
Part of: Rental Listing Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The Netherlands has one of the most acute housing shortages in Europe, with Amsterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Rotterdam ranking among the most competitive rental markets on the continent. This scarcity creates ideal conditions for rental fraud, with fake listings appearing on Funda, Pararius, Kamernet and Facebook Marketplace.
The Fraudehelpdesk receives high volumes of rental-scam reports, particularly from international students and expats unfamiliar with the Dutch housing market. Deposits of two to three months' rent are commonly extracted before victims discover the listing does not exist or belongs to a different owner.
How this scam works on Netherlands
Listings feature real photographs and plausible descriptions in Dutch or English. The 'verhuurder' (landlord) claims to be abroad (often in the UK or Canada) and proposes sending keys by post once a deposit is received via bank transfer. The amount — often €2,000–€5,000 — is transferred before any contract is signed.
Victims of international student housing scams in Amsterdam and Delft have reported being sent official-looking huurovereenkomsten (rental agreements) with forged stamps from Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce) registrations.
On Kamernet and student-specific platforms, scammers mimic international student housing agencies and collect multiple deposits from different students for the same room, disappearing after collecting the first round of payments.
Common red flags
- Rental price significantly below market rate for the neighbourhood
- Landlord abroad and unable to show the property
- Deposit requested by bank transfer before any viewing or signed contract
- Contract lacks a valid KvK (Kamer van Koophandel) registration number
- Communication only via WhatsApp or email with a non-Dutch phone number
- Listing recently posted with no track record on the platform
How to protect yourself
- Always view the property in person before any payment
- Verify landlord identity through the Kadaster (land registry) at kadaster.nl
- Use only Funda-certified estate agents ('NVM-makelaars') for added legal protection
- Never transfer deposits before signing a notarised or agency-witnessed contract
- For student housing, use official university housing services or DUWO
How to report it
- Fraudehelpdesk: fraudehelpdesk.nl — rental fraud report
- Politie: politie.nl/aangifte — file an official report
- Platform report: flag the listing on Funda or Kamernet for immediate review
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard deposit for a rental in the Netherlands?
Dutch rental deposits typically equal one to three months' rent. Anything above this, or any request for payment before a viewing, should be treated with extreme caution.