What is a rental scam?
A rental scam tricks prospective tenants into paying a deposit or rent for a property the fraudster does not own or that does not exist, leaving the victim without accommodation or money.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Rental scams proliferate on classified sites, social media marketplaces, and even mainstream property portals. A fraudster takes photos and details from legitimate property listings and reposts them at an attractive below-market price. When prospective tenants enquire, the 'landlord' engages genuinely-feeling correspondence, explains they are temporarily abroad, and asks for a holding deposit or first month's rent to secure the property before viewing.
Once payment is sent, contact ceases or the landlord provides endless delays. Some victims arrive at the address to find either a real tenant who knows nothing about any rental listing, or a property that is for sale, not rent. Others are given keys to a property the scammer has no right to enter — this particularly happens with rental properties the scammer has briefly 'rented' to harvest keys.
Variants target landlords too: fake tenant enquiries request a landlord's bank details for 'credit checks', or send fake holding deposits via a payment method that can be reversed after the landlord has forwarded keys.
Always view a property in person before paying anything. Verify the landlord's identity and right to rent through land registry records where available. Pay only through traceable methods with a clear tenancy agreement in place.
Common red flags
- The rental price is significantly below the local market rate
- The landlord is abroad and cannot meet you or arrange a viewing
- You are asked for a deposit or rent before viewing the property
- The listing appears on multiple platforms with different prices or contact details
- The landlord requests payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or a money transfer service
- Pressure to commit quickly because 'many people are interested'
What to do now
- Never pay any money before viewing the property in person with proof of identity from the landlord
- Verify the landlord owns or has the right to let the property using land registry records
- If you already paid, report to police, the platform, and your bank immediately
- Report the listing to the platform for removal
- Check whether the listing appears on other sites with different contact details
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to pay a holding deposit before viewing?
No. A holding deposit before any viewing is a major red flag. Legitimate landlords understand that tenants need to view a property before committing money. If a landlord insists on payment first, walk away.
How can I verify a landlord is genuine?
Ask for their full name, confirm ownership through your national land registry (HM Land Registry in the UK; county recorder offices in the US), ask to see their ID at viewing, and use a written tenancy agreement with the correct property address and their registered details.