In short: Rental fraud is rare but real. Never pay before you have viewed the property and signed a proper agreement, and never pay more than one week's rent to hold a home.
Updated 29 September 2026
The key facts
Fraud in the rental market is rare, but when it happens it usually involves someone posing as a landlord or agent to take money upfront without ever providing a tenancy. The best protection is knowing what to look for and acting quickly if something feels off. This guide sets out the warning signs, what to do if you suspect a scam, and how we verify landlords. If you are ever unsure, get in touch on 020 8138 8848 or at lettings@hello-neighbour.com and we will check things over.
Scammers aim to get money quickly, usually by collecting a deposit or rent before any tenancy agreement exists. Sometimes they copy adverts from real properties, change the contact details, and persuade people to pay before anything feels wrong.
They target people under time or financial pressure. According to National Fraud Intelligence Bureau data, 18 to 39 year olds make up three quarters of rental fraud reports, so students and young renters in particular should make sure everything adds up before rushing a decision.
No single red flag proves a scam, but if two or three of the following crop up, stop before paying any money.
A price that feels unrealistically low. If the rent is far below the going rate for the area, it could be bait.
Pressure to pay quickly. Fraudsters create urgency, saying the property will be gone unless you transfer money immediately. A real landlord lets you view and consider first. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps the holding deposit at one week's rent, so never pay more than that.
Odd payment requests. Cash, wire transfer or cryptocurrency are all hard to trace if something goes wrong. A bank transfer to a UK account is the standard.
No chance to view in person. If you are told you cannot view before paying, or that only a video tour is possible, treat it as a major warning sign.
Suspicious or inconsistent photos. Stock-looking images, photos that do not match the description, or the same pictures appearing on different adverts all point to a fake listing.
No paperwork. Every proper tenancy begins with a contract. If someone says paperwork is unnecessary or will come later, walk away.
No proof of certificates. Landlords must provide an EPC and, where relevant, gas and electrical safety certificates. Ask to see copies before going ahead.
Reluctance to prove identity or ownership. A landlord should be able to show they own the property or have the right to let it, through ID documents and the Land Registry title. Refusal is a red flag.
Pause all payments until you are satisfied the landlord is real, and do not ignore your instincts.
Tell us as soon as possible on 020 8138 8848 or at lettings@hello-neighbour.com so we can run extra checks. Check who owns the property through the Land Registry (from £7). Search parts of the advert's text and images online to see whether they appear elsewhere. Report scams to Action Fraud, or to the police if you feel threatened, and Citizens Advice can guide you on your rights.
Contact your bank immediately, because it may be able to stop or recover the payment. Speed matters more than anything else at this point.
Then report the fraud to Action Fraud with every detail you have, keep all emails, messages, receipts and screenshots as evidence, and tell us straight away so we can remove the advert and stop others being caught. Recovery is not always possible, but acting fast improves your chances.
View the property in person before paying anything, and only pay by secure, traceable methods.
Ask for ID from landlords or agents and check it. Make sure a proper tenancy agreement is in place before you hand over money. Check your deposit is protected in one of the three government schemes within 30 days, which our guide to tenancy deposit protection explains in full. Keep copies of every document and message.
Every landlord on Hello Neighbour goes through ID checks, anti-money laundering and financial sanctions checks, plus internal fraud screening, before a listing goes live, even on our most basic Get Listed service. The details of those checks are not public, which makes them harder to work around.
For landlords using Get Rented or Get Rented Pro, the protection goes further. Tenancy agreements are created and signed digitally with copies to both sides, all payments run through our system so tenants never hand money to a landlord before a contract exists, and deposits are registered with the government-approved mydeposits scheme, released only when both sides agree or through formal adjudication. Landlords must also upload valid safety certificates and complete right-to-rent checks before move-in. Landlords face the mirror-image risk from fraudulent tenants and fake agents, and our guide to combatting letting fraud covers that side.
What is the biggest giveaway of a rental scam? Being asked to pay before you have viewed the property or signed a proper agreement.
Is it normal to pay rent before signing? No. Never pay rent or a security deposit until a contract is signed. A holding deposit of one week's rent before referencing is the only normal pre-contract payment.
How can I be sure a landlord is genuine? Ask for proof of ownership or check the Land Registry; a real landlord will not mind. If you are still unsure, speak to us before moving forward.
What protection does Hello Neighbour give tenants? We verify landlord identities, handle money securely, protect deposits, and require compliance documents before move-in on Get Rented and Get Rented Pro tenancies.
What should I do if I have already been scammed? Contact your bank straight away, let us know, and keep all evidence to support your case.
This guide is general information for renters in England, not legal advice.
If you ever feel pressured or uncertain, pause and ask us first. It is always better to miss a property than to lose money to a fraudster. See how renting with Hello Neighbour works.