5 easy steps to detect a rental scam in the Netherlands

How to Detect Rental Scams

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You have the widest possible pipeline of housing options in Dronten, you're crafting the perfect viewing request messages. You probably even use Uprent. But now you are on a minefield of scams and illegal practices. Desperate to find a place to live, you might fall victim to fraudsters who exploit your situation.

The good news is that by staying informed, you can protect yourself from these scams and avoid the pitfalls that many others have fallen into.

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Facebook: The Epicenter of Rental Scams

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If you want to avoid rental scams, the best thing you can do is avoid searching for rentals on Facebook. It’s estimated that 90%+ of rental scams occur on this platform. While Facebook might offer a wide range of listings, it’s also where scammers thrive due to the lack of verification and oversight. By steering clear of Facebook, you eliminate the vast majority of scams right away.

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How to Spot a Rental Scam

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1. Check the images

1. Take a home's image, paste it into Google Image Search, and see if this listing is already published on four rental platforms in 3 different countries :-)
2. Check the sockets. If they are British, for example — it's definitely a scam.
3. Are the pictures featuring a beautiful house, but their quality is poor?

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2. Ask for a viewing

Scammers often demand a down payment before you’ve seen the property. Insist on viewing it, either in person or via a video tour.

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3. Check the price

If a listing seems too good to be true, it probably is. Compare prices with similar properties to gauge whether it’s realistic.

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4. Asses landlord's communication

1. Be cautious if the 'landlord' quickly wants to move communication to WhatsApp. This is a common tactic to avoid leaving a trace.
2. If the person avoids putting things in writing and prefers phone calls, it could be a scam to avoid creating a paper trail.
3. Legitimate landlords will ask for IDs, income confirmation, and other documents. If they don’t, something is off.
4. Scammers might use broken English or overly formal language to sound convincing.
5. Claims of a "friend" handling the process should raise red flags.

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5. Make sure payment is in order

1. Are you transferring money to a Dutch bank account?
2. Landlord requests to pay through AirBnB? This is a common scam tactic. Legitimate landlords don’t ask for payment through platforms like AirBnB or Booking.com.
3. You should never be asked to pay fees before securing the rental. This includes deposits or reservation fees.

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Always Verify with a Viewing Before Payment

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Never pay anything before you’ve seen the property, either in person or through a video tour. Scammers often avoid showing the property, making excuses or demanding payment first. A legitimate landlord or agent will always be willing to show the property, either in person or via a video call. This step is crucial to ensuring the listing is real and matches the description.

If you’re unable to view the property in person, request an online video tour over WhatsApp. This allows you to see the property’s condition and specific features, reducing the risk of falling victim to a scam.

Learn how to schedule more viewings and how to behave during a viewing.

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Illegal Practices by Real Estate Agents

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Not all scams come from shady individuals online. Some real estate agents engage in illegal practices to exploit tenants. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Double Charging: Dutch law states that an agent can charge a fee to only one party—either the landlord or the tenant, not both. Some agents try to charge tenants for additional services like "consultation" or "guidance," which is illegal if they’re already being paid by the landlord.
• High Deposits: The maximum legal deposit in the Netherlands is two months' rent. Anything higher is illegal. Make sure to check the terms before agreeing to pay a deposit.

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Minimize the risk of scams by using Uprent. We compile listings from all legitimate rental platforms in the Netherlands into a single feed, making sure you only see rental options from high-rated platforms during your search.