Fake landlords
Lesson 6 of 14 in our free Scams & Fraud guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
Reading is cool. Playing is cooler.
This lesson is a 5-minute game. Free, no sign-up needed.
The story so far
Ronnie Rugpull: Gorgeous studio, central, bills included, half the going rate. I'm abroad so no viewings — just send the deposit to secure it!
Mo: POV: you found the perfect flat and your brain switched off.
Nana: Never pay a penny before you've seen the place — in person or by a live video call you control — and checked the landlord or agent is real.
Questions you'll answer
Lin, an international student, is told 'pay before you arrive in the UK to guarantee the room'. Best move?
Use the uni's accommodation service or verify the agent, and get a contract and live video viewing first. Yes. Unis often vet accommodation. Verify, get a contract, never pay a stranger blind.
Quick facts
- Red flag: “I'm working overseas so viewings aren't possible,” — 'Abroad, can't show you' is the classic fake landlord line.
- Red flag: “but lots of students want it so” — Pressure: fear of missing out.
- Red flag: “please transfer 2 months' deposit plus first month's rent today” — Big upfront payment before any viewing or contract.
- Red flag: “and I'll post the keys.” — Keys by post for a flat you've never seen? No.
- Red flag: “Please send a copy of your passport too.” — ID theft risk — don't send documents to someone unverified.
- Offers a proper viewing and a written tenancy agreement → Green flag. Exactly what a real landlord does.
- Says your deposit will be protected in a government-approved scheme → Green flag. In England and Wales, deposits must be protected in an approved scheme (Scotland and NI have their own schemes too).
- Rent is way below every similar flat nearby → Red flag. Too good to be true.
- Wants payment by money transfer service or crypto → Red flag. Untraceable payment methods = scam signal.
- Asks for a holding deposit of no more than a week's rent, with a receipt → Green flag. In England, holding deposits are capped at one week's rent.