Guide · 8 June 2026
How to Avoid Rental Scams in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s competitive rental market attracts scammers who target newcomers under pressure to find a home quickly. The good news: almost every scam follows the same pattern, and a few simple rules keep you safe.
Quick answer
Never pay a deposit or rent before you have viewed the property (in person or via a verified viewing) and signed a proper contract with an identifiable landlord or agent. Legitimate landlords do not ask for money to “hold” a home you have never seen.
Common warning signs
- Payment before viewing – You are asked to transfer a deposit to secure a property you cannot visit.
- The landlord is “abroad” – A story about being overseas and posting the keys after payment.
- Price too good to be true – Rent far below the market for the location and size.
- Pressure and urgency – “Several people are interested, pay now to secure it.”
- No contract or a vague one – Refusal to provide a proper written tenancy agreement.
- Requests via money transfer only – Insistence on irreversible payment methods.
How to protect yourself
- View first. Always view the home in person, or via a live, verified viewing, before paying anything.
- Verify the landlord or agent. Check that the agent is real and registered, and that the person matches the listing.
- Never pay to “reserve” an unseen home. Deposit and first month’s rent are paid around signing and key handover, not to unlock a viewing.
- Insist on a written contract. Read it, and make sure registration at the municipality is possible.
- Keep records. Save all messages, the contract and proof of payments.
Work with people you can verify
The safest route is to work with a landlord or agency you can identify and reach. Bright Apartments guides expats through the process transparently — no hidden fees, no pressure. Learn how renting works and get rental help so you can search with confidence.
If you believe you have encountered a scam, stop all payments and report it to the police and your bank.