How To Spot a Housing Scam

Friday, March 20

Rental scams are skyrocketing in Berlin. The city is undergoing a housing crisis, and wherever there are desperate people, there will be scammers. Last year alone, there were 4,862 rental scams reported to the police — 1,184 – over 30% – more than the previous year. Mostly, these are fictitious housing offers where the potential tenant is enticed to make advance payments without ever having seen the apartment, according to the Berlin police, as quoted in the Berliner Morgenpost. So what are the main tricks to watch out for?

"When an advance payment is requested, all alarm bells should be ringing."

The exact methods might vary, but one common trick involves a landlord claiming to be abroad, telling the tenant that therefore no viewing can take place. They can, however, send the key by courier — provided the tenant pays a security deposit upfront. Once the hopeful apartment-hunter pays the fee, the entire thing is revealed to be a con.

In other cases, a key might arrive – but it doesn't fit any door. Or, in especially sought-after areas, a fee is requested from a potential tenant just for the privilege of viewing the property.

The article quotes Wiebke Werner of the Berlin Tenants' Association, who gives this advice: "If there's no willingness to allow a viewing of the apartment, if there are excuses about not being in the country, and at the latest when an advance payment is requested, all alarm bells should be ringing." In short: if they won't let you see it, don't pay for it.