Attractive photos and a low price do not prove a rental offer is genuine. Under time pressure, “pay today or someone else gets it” can be persuasive. Check the address, authority, terms and payment sequence rather than relying on an emotional impression.
These questions reduce risk, but no set of checks guarantees complete safety. Pause a transfer and obtain further evidence if warning signs appear. Sending a passport copy to an unverified person creates risks beyond losing money.
Check that the address and property details match
Ask for the full address, property type, size, rooms and availability date. A map helps confirm a building exists, but not that the advertiser has authority to let it. Note inconsistent details.
Ask for an explanation if photos show different buildings, seasons or rooms inconsistent with the description. An image may be old, but unexplained differences remain unresolved. Many photographs alone do not prove reliability.
Clarify furnishings and whether the kitchen or other items are sold separately. Objects shown in photos are not automatically included in the contract. Confirm in writing what will be handed over before paying.
Verify the advertiser's authority
Is the advertiser the owner, property manager, agent or main tenant? Who signs the agreement and receives payment? Ask for explanations and authority evidence if names differ. A photo of someone else's ID is not proof of authority by itself.
If a company is named, independently find and verify its official contact. Calling only the number in the message may not be an independent check. Clarify differences between the advert and official contact details.
For subletting, establish who may grant access and the basis of the agreement. Do not pay on “it is my friend's flat; documents later”. Seek tenant or legal advice if the arrangement's legality is unclear.
Separate viewing and verification from payment
The Make it in Germany housing guide warns about advance-payment demands when renting. Paying an unverified person for “sending keys”, a viewing or “opening a reservation” is not something to treat as routine.
If you cannot view in person, consider a trusted representative. Live video can help, but cannot replace authority and contract checks. A real flat may still be advertised by someone without the right to let it.
The agreement should clearly state when payment falls due and on what basis. This is not advice to withhold lawful payments under a genuine contract. It concerns avoiding rushed transfers while an advert remains unverified.
Break the price into components
Ask whether the figure is Kaltmiete or Warmmiete. Which utilities are included and which are separate? Keep deposits, furnishings, internet and temporary-accommodation service fees visible as separate items.
Compare similar local offers to spot large differences. A low price alone does not prove fraud, but the reason needs checking. A story about the owner being abroad does not remove the need for other checks.
| Check | Answer to obtain | Unresolved risk |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Complete and verifiable | Only a district name |
| Authority | Who lets it and on what basis | Unexplained name differences |
| Price | Breakdown and extras | Only a total amount |
| Viewing | Actual arrangements and contact | Only after payment |
| Agreement | Parties, property and dates | Missing or different address |
| Payment | Recipient and basis | Urgent unexplained transfer |
Illustrative example: “the keys will arrive by courier”
Gulnoza finds a very attractively priced flat. The advertiser says they are abroad and will courier the keys after receiving money. They offer no viewing or independent verification of their authority.
A polished contract file is not enough for her. She pauses payment, saves the platform information and asks for verification. If the other party only applies pressure, she walks away. The key warning sign is pressure to pay instead of allowing checks, not simply being abroad.
Keep evidence if suspicious or affected
Police guidance on advance-payment fraud highlight these risks. Keep messages, the advert URL, payment evidence and contacts. They may be needed when reporting to the platform or police.
If money has been sent, contact your bank promptly about possible action; recovery is not guaranteed. Do not accept a new “pay more to recover your money” proposal without checking it. Report any personal documents you shared as well.
Recheck changed payment details
Do not treat a new bank account sent after contract discussions as a routine technical change. Use an already verified contact to confirm the recipient and reason. Do not rely only on the phone number or link in the new message.
Compare the purpose, recipient and contractual amount side by side. Different names do not always mean fraud, but need explaining. Keep the receipt with the agreement and correspondence. A successful bank transfer does not prove the property or keys were handed over.
Questions and answers
Should I send my passport in the first message?
First establish who needs it, why and at what stage. Do not immediately send a complete document to an unverified advert. Agree a safe submission method rather than rejecting every legitimate request outright.
Is a contract file enough?
No. The parties and property details must be correct and the signatory's authority clear. An online template alone does not establish a genuine tenancy.
Where should I start organising the search?
The housing-search guidehelps build an overall plan. Check each new advert individually: being on a familiar platform does not mean every offer has been verified.
