Rental scams in Germany: how to spot and avoid them
Newcomers are the number-one target for rental fraud: you don't know the market, you're under time pressure, and you may not read every German detail. The good news – almost every scam comes down to one demand you should always refuse. Here are the common tricks, the red flags, and exactly what to do.
The scams you'll actually run into
- The landlord "abroad": a great flat, but the owner has moved to another country and can't show it. They'll "post the keys" once you transfer the deposit. Always fake.
- Pay a "reservation fee" to view: you're asked to transfer money just to secure a viewing slot. Real viewings are free.
- Fake "secure deposit" service: a message impersonating a portal or a well-known platform sends a payment link to "hold" your deposit safely. The link is theirs, not the platform's.
- Document phishing: a "landlord" asks for a full passport scan, bank details and more before any viewing – to steal your identity, not to rent to you.
- The copied listing: a real apartment's photos are re-posted at a lower price by someone who doesn't own it. Reverse-image search often exposes it.
Red flags to watch for
- Too cheap for the area – a central flat far below market rent is bait.
- No in-person viewing – any excuse to avoid meeting or showing the flat.
- Pressure and urgency – "many people are interested, transfer now to secure it."
- Odd payment methods – requests for money transfer services, gift cards or crypto instead of a normal bank transfer after signing.
- Communication only by email in broken German or English, avoiding phone or video.
The one golden rule
Never pay before viewing and signing
Almost every rental scam needs you to send money before you've seen the flat and signed a lease. Refuse that, every time, and you're safe from the vast majority of fraud. A genuine landlord views the apartment with you, signs a contract, and only then receives the deposit into a proper deposit account.
If it's already happened
Stop and contact your bank
Make no further payments and call your bank at once – a very recent transfer can sometimes be recalled or frozen.
Report it to the police
File a report (Anzeige) – in most German states you can do this online. Keep all messages, listings and transfer receipts as evidence.
Flag the listing
Report the ad to the portal so it's removed and others aren't caught by the same trick.
Spend your energy on the real listings
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a German listing is a scam?
The biggest signs are a price too good to be true, a landlord supposedly abroad who can't meet, and any request to pay before you've viewed the flat and signed. Pressure to decide instantly and unusual payment methods are also red flags.
Should I ever pay a deposit before viewing?
No. Never transfer any money – deposit, rent or "reservation fee" – before you've seen the apartment in person and signed a contract. "Keys by post" offers are almost always fraud.
Is the portal's "deposit service" real?
Scammers impersonate trusted platforms and email fake payment links. Real portals don't hold your deposit through a private link a "landlord" sends you. Only use payment flows inside the official site or app.
What should I do if I've been scammed?
Stop paying, contact your bank immediately, report it to the police (often possible online), and flag the listing to the portal. Keep all messages and transfer details as evidence.