There are many decent landlords whom you can trust, but there are also scammers on the housing market. Scammers often target people who are not aware of the rules. We have listed a few tips for you:
- If something seems to good to be true, then it is probable not true! Be extra careful and watch out. Advertising a great place for a rent that seems too low? This is rarely true; the chances are that this is a scammer. Compare the rental price with other offers. Is it a fair price?
- Check out the address on Google. Make sure the apartment really exists.
- Check the photos and information of the add and check if they match.
- Scammers often use stolen identities. Search for their picture on the web. Make an appointment to meet in person or through Skype. Make sure the landlord is actually the person he/she claims to be.
- It is possible to find out who the owner of the property that you are about to rent is. You can check who the owner is via
the cadastral Agency (Dutch: het Kadaster). You have to pay a small fee to get this information. If this is not the person/organisation that you have been in contact with, it is important to be extra careful. Ask your contact person for an explanation. - Because of housing scarcity in Leiden and The Hague you might receive unwanted emails from scammers trying to rent their (non-existing) accommodation to you. Unsolicited emails could be rental scams.
- If possible, try to view the property before signing the lease. Does the landlord not allow this? Then something can be wrong. If you cannot view a property, but your family or friends are, then ask if it is okay for them to come and have a look. SCIS Housing can also do a viewing for you if needed.
Even then, it is still possible to be scammed, but it does reduce the chance. - Always draw up a written rental agreement. Do not provide a copy of your ID before you have signed the rental contract.
- Never sign a housing contract without having first read it carefully. Be sure you fully understand and agree with what you are signing for.
- Do not pay a deposit until you have signed the rental agreement.
There are many variations of rental scam but these are some ways of recognizing one
- You have to pay rent (or other costs) in advance to a non-trusted person or organization without having seen the apartment or having met anyone.
- You have to transfer money to a foreign/non-Dutch bank account.
- The rental price is much lower than other apartments in the same area/location.
- The scammer is too eager or too pushy to rent the apartment to you.
- You have a bad feeling about the landlord or how things are proceeding.
What can you do if you have been scammed?
If you have been scammed don’t lose hope of finding another apartment. Always