Introduction
Moving abroad is a major life step and finding a place to live is usually one of the first challenges. Unfortunately, thousands of international tenants fall prey to rental scams each year, losing money and confidence before they even land in their destination country.
Scammers use fake listings, impersonate landlords, and demand advance payments for non-existent properties. The good news? Most scams can be avoided if you know what to look for.
In this blog, we break down the most common types of rental fraud and how The Tenant Company protects tenants through verified listings, landlord screening, and secure processes.
1. Red Flags to Watch for in Rental Listings
Scam listings often look too good to be true because they are. Common warning signs include:
- Rents that are far below market price
- Listings with stock or blurred images
- Vague property descriptions
- Pressure to pay quickly without a visit
Tip: Never trust listings that avoid showing the exact address or offer “limited-time only” deals to create urgency.
2. Never Pay Without Verification
Many fraud cases involve tenants being asked to send money before any verification. Common tactics include:
- Fake emails pretending to be landlords
- “Third-party agents” asking for booking fees via PayPal, crypto, or Western Union
- No written rental agreement shared in advance
Tip: Only pay through secure and traceable methods, and only after signing a legitimate rental agreement with verified details.
3. How The Tenant Company Protects You
At The Tenant Company, we follow a strict verification protocol for all listings and landlords. This includes:
- Manual review of property ownership documents
- Validating location, utilities, photos, and pricing
- Confirming the landlord’s identity and right to rent
- Ensuring the contract is valid and compliant with local law
You’ll never deal with unverified parties. Every listing you see is approved and safe.
4. Real-Time Support in Case of Doubts
If you’re unsure about a property or receive a suspicious message even if you found the listing somewhere else you can reach out to us. Our support team will:
- Review the offer with you
- Check landlord credentials (if known)
- Recommend next steps or safer alternatives
Many tenants avoid scams just by reaching out before committing. We’re here to help you avoid risky decisions.
5. What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you’ve encountered or fallen victim to a scam:
- Stop all communication immediately
- Never send more money to “resolve the issue”
- Report the scam to local housing authorities or embassy helplines
- Contact your bank for transaction reversal (if applicable)
Also, notify us so we can alert other users if a fraud attempt is spreading in the community.
Conclusion
Rental scams are real but avoidable. With proper awareness and a reliable platform like The Tenant Company, you can find secure homes abroad without stress.
Choose verified listings, ask the right questions, and never rush the process. Renting abroad should be exciting, not risky and we’re here to make sure of that.
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