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Rental scams in the Netherlands: how to spot and avoid them

When good homes are scarce, scammers post fake listings to collect deposits and personal data. People searching from abroad are a frequent target. These checks help you tell a real landlord from a fake one.

Team HubSnap · Updated 8 October 2026 · 3 min read

Red flags of a rental scam

  • You are asked to pay before a viewing or a signed contract, for example a deposit "to reserve" the home.
  • The landlord is abroad and offers to post the keys once you have paid.
  • The rent is far below similar homes in the same area.
  • Pressure to decide fast: "many people are interested, pay today".
  • Payment by money transfer service, crypto or gift cards, or to an account in another name or country.
  • Communication only by chat or email, with no phone call or real viewing.
  • Photos that also appear elsewhere under another address. A reverse image search can reveal this.
  • A deposit above two months' basic rent. For contracts since 1 July 2023 that is not allowed (source).

How to check if a landlord is real

  1. View the home in person, or by a live video call where the person walks through the home and shows the front door and street sign.
  2. Check who owns the home. You can order ownership information for an address from the Kadaster, the Dutch land registry. The digital version costs €3.70 (checked 8 October 2026). Compare the owner with the person you are dealing with, or ask how they are authorised to rent it out.
  3. Check the agent or company in the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) register and look for a real office address and phone number.
  4. Ask for a written contract before you pay. For contracts since 1 July 2023 landlords must confirm agreements in writing.
  5. Search the name, phone number and email address together with words like "scam" or "oplichting".

Paying and sharing documents safely

  • Pay the first rent and deposit only after signing, by bank transfer to an account in the name of the landlord or agency.
  • Keep the contract, messages and payment receipts.
  • Share a safe copy of your ID with a watermark, for example made with the government's KopieID app. You can cover your BSN and photo.
  • Do not send your DigiD details, bank login codes or a selfie holding your passport to anyone.

Scammed? What to do and where to report it

  1. Contact your bank right away and ask whether the payment can be stopped or recalled.
  2. Report it to the police (aangifte) via politie.nl. Keep screenshots of the listing, messages and payment.
  3. Report it to the [Fraudehelpdesk](https://www.fraudehelpdesk.nl/) (088 – 786 73 72), which collects fraud reports and gives advice.
  4. Report the listing to the website where you found it so it can be removed.
  5. Problems with a real landlord? Since 1 January 2024 every municipality has a reporting point for unwanted rental practices (source).

Frequently asked questions

  • Be careful if you are asked to pay before a viewing or contract, the landlord is abroad, the rent is far below similar homes, or you are pushed to decide quickly.

  • Yes. You can order ownership information for a home from the Kadaster. The digital version cost €3.70 when we checked on 8 October 2026.

  • No. Only pay after you have seen the home and signed a contract. For new contracts the deposit may be at most two months' basic rent.

  • Contact your bank, report it to the police via politie.nl, and report it to the Fraudehelpdesk. Also report the listing to the site where you found it.

  • Only send a watermarked copy, for example made with the KopieID app, and only to a landlord or agency you have verified.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you are a victim of fraud, contact your bank and the police as soon as possible.