How to avoid scammers on the Dutch rental market? 11 tips!

Looking for a Rental Home? Beware of Scammers! Unfortunately, there are many fraudulent landlords exploiting the tight housing market. In this blog post, we share essential tips to recognize and avoid rental scams, so you can rent safely and with peace of mind.

1. Offers That Sound Too Good to Be True

Does the offer sound too good to be true? It probably is. Affordable housing in the city is extremely rare. Stay extra alert if you receive a seemingly fantastic offer. If something feels off, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

2. Thoroughly Verify the Landlord

Avoid dealing with landlords who only provide an email address, mobile number, or Facebook profile for contact. Request additional details to clarify who you’re dealing with, such as a business or residential address. Ask for proof of identity, verify it, and research the person or company online. Be aware that copies of ID documents sent via email could be fake. This often coincides with requests to transfer money via Western Union.

3. Check the Property Owner via the Kadaster

If in doubt, you can look up the property’s legal owner in the Dutch Kadaster (Land Registry) for €2.95. If anything seems suspicious, the Meldpunt Ongewenst Verhuurgedrag (Unwanted Rental Practices Reporting Center) can assist you. If you’re not using a licensed real estate agent, ask for clarification if the landlord and property owner differ. Request written confirmation that the landlord is authorized to act on the owner’s behalf.

4. Always View the Apartment (or Have Someone Do It for You)

Be extra cautious about renting an apartment you haven’t seen it. If you’re not yet in the country, ask a friend, colleague, or fellow student to view it for you.

5. Test the Keys Before Paying

Check the keys and ensure they work before transferring money. While not a foolproof guarantee, this adds a layer of security.

6. Talk to the Neighbors for Extra Insights

If possible, speak to the neighbors. Do they know the apartment and the landlord? Do they know who lives there? Any additional information helps assess the trustworthiness of the person offering the rental.

Listings on platforms like Facebook, Marktplaats, Craigslist, or other classifieds sites aren’t always reliable. Many involve illegal subletting, meaning you might pay heavily but still have to leave the property.

8. Ask If You Can Register at the Address

If the answer is “no,” this signals potential issues like illegal subletting, tax evasion, or other scams.

9. Don’t Let Yourself Be Rushed

Scammers often pressure you to sign quickly, claiming “high demand” or urgent reasons like a “sick family member.” Take enough time to review the situation, apartment, and contract thoroughly.

10. Watch Out for Unusual Payment Requests

Scammers often charge fees for vague “services” along with a deposit. While deposits are normal (and refundable), avoid paying excessive administrative or “mediation” costs. These may be recoverable later, but proceed carefully.

Preferred payment method is to use bank transfers. Requests for cash, Western Union, or payments without a receipt are red flags. If paying cash, insist on a signed receipt, have a witness present, and document everything.

11. Document Absolutely Everything

Send a confirmation email to the landlord or agency. Record payment conversations on your phone, clearly stating the amount, purpose (e.g., “€... for September rent”), address, and recipient. Save screenshots of the listing, emails, Facebook/WhatsApp chats, and any other communication. Organize these in a dedicated folder.

Stay vigilant, trust your gut, and remember: it’s better to be safe than sorry. Happy (and scam-free) house hunting!