Most landlords and agents are honest, but rental scams do happen — especially when houses are cheap and demand is high. The good news: a few simple habits protect you almost every time.
The single biggest rule. Scammers post attractive photos, then ask for a "booking fee" or deposit before a viewing. Always view the actual unit first, in person, before any money changes hands.
If a house is far below market for the area, treat it as a red flag rather than a lucky find. Compare against other listings in the same neighbourhood.
Ask for identification and confirm they actually control the property — for example, by meeting at the house and speaking to the caretaker or neighbours. Genuine agents don't mind being verified.
Use traceable payments and insist on a written receipt for the deposit and rent, showing what each payment is for. Keep every message and receipt.
"Someone else is about to take it, pay now to hold it" is a classic push. Real listings give you time to view and read the agreement. Don't let urgency override your checks.
Confirm the deposit refund terms, the notice period and who handles repairs before you sign. Vague or missing terms are a warning sign.
Prefer listings with multiple photos, a video walk‑through and a pinned map location — they're harder to fake and let you confirm the place is real. On NestKey, house hunters browse and enquire for free, and you can message the lister directly and arrange a viewing before paying anyone.
View first, verify, pay traceably, and never rush. With those habits, you'll avoid almost every rental scam — on NestKey or anywhere else.
