Rental Scams in the United Kingdom
Fraudulent rental listings on Rightmove, Zoopla, Facebook Marketplace, and SpareRoom target UK renters facing a competitive housing market, collecting deposits via bank transfer for properties the scammer has no right to let.
Part of: Holiday Rental Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The United Kingdom's housing shortage — particularly acute in London, Manchester, and other major cities — pushes renters to act quickly when a reasonably priced property appears. Scammers exploit this urgency by posting below-market listings on popular portals and collecting holding deposits before the victim has had a chance to view the property.
Action Fraud records thousands of rental fraud reports annually, with losses disproportionately affecting younger renters and those relocating for work or study who cannot easily visit properties before committing.
How this scam works on United Kingdom
A convincing listing appears on a major rental portal or Facebook Marketplace, often using photographs taken from legitimate listings. The purported landlord or agent explains they are abroad and cannot conduct viewings but will send keys after a holding deposit is paid. Payment via bank transfer is demanded, citing it as the quickest way to secure the property.
Some operations impersonate genuine letting agencies: the domain name differs by one character, and all branding and contact templates are copied. Victims believe they are dealing with a regulated company when they are communicating with a fraudster.
A third variant targets existing tenants: victims are contacted by someone claiming to be a new property owner who has purchased the building and is collecting rent via a different bank account. Tenants who switch their rent payments find they have been defrauded.
Common red flags
- Landlord or agent is based abroad and cannot arrange a viewing
- Deposit or holding fee demanded via bank transfer before any signed tenancy agreement
- Rental price significantly below comparable properties in the same area
- Letting agency domain or email address slightly different from the genuine company
- Existing tenant contacted by a supposed new owner requesting rent to a new account
- Listing images reverse-search to Rightmove or another portal with a different landlord
How to protect yourself
- Always view a property in person or via a verified live video call before paying any deposit
- Verify letting agents on the Property Ombudsman or ARLA Propertymark register
- If a new owner contacts you about rent, verify through your local council's land registry records
- Never pay a deposit via bank transfer to someone you have not met and verified
- Search the property address on Rightmove, Zoopla, and Land Registry to confirm ownership
- Use the Tenancy Deposit Scheme to ensure legitimate deposits are protected
How to report it
- Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
- Report the listing to the portal it appeared on (Rightmove, Zoopla, etc.) directly
- Contact your bank immediately if a transfer has been made — APP fraud protections may apply
Frequently asked questions
Are rental deposits in the UK protected against fraud?
UK law requires landlords to place tenancy deposits in a government-approved scheme (TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits). However, this only applies once a legitimate tenancy agreement is in place. Fraudulent deposits paid before signing a contract receive no scheme protection — the money is simply lost if the listing was fake.