Last updated: By Kumar Ashish, German Campus
Germany has a serious housing shortage, and scammers know it. Every semester, international students lose hundreds or thousands of euros to fake flats, fake landlords and fake agents, often before they even arrive. The tricks are always similar, so once you know them, you can spot almost every scam in seconds. This guide shows you how.
Quick answer: the 5 golden rules
- Never pay before you have seen the flat (in person or by live video) and signed a contract.
- Never pay by Western Union, crypto, gift cards or a “secure booking” link the landlord sends you.
- The deposit (Kaution) is at most 3 months of net cold rent, and you may pay it in 3 monthly instalments.
- Do not send copies of your passport or bank statements to someone you have not verified.
- Check any offer with our free rental scam checker before you reply.
Why international students are a favourite target
- You often search from abroad and cannot visit the flat.
- You are under time pressure because of your visa, enrolment and registration (Anmeldung).
- You may not know German rental rules, so unusual demands seem normal.
- Real flats are scarce, so an affordable, beautiful flat that is “still available” feels like luck.
The 7 most common rental scams in Germany
| Scam | How it works | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| The landlord abroad | The “owner” is working abroad and will send the keys by post after you pay. | No viewing possible, keys by courier |
| Fake booking platform | You are asked to pay through Airbnb, Booking or a “safe deposit service”. The link leads to a copy of the real site. | Payment link sent by email or WhatsApp |
| Deposit to reserve a viewing | You must pay a “reservation fee” to see the flat or hold it for you. | Money before any viewing |
| Identity theft | The “landlord” asks for your passport, payslips and bank details to “check” you, then uses them to open accounts or take loans. | Many documents before you have even spoken |
| Fake agent fee | An “agent” charges you a commission. If the landlord hired the agent, the landlord must pay (Bestellerprinzip). | You pay an agent you did not hire |
| Copied listings | Real photos from old listings or hotels with a much lower price. | Price far below similar flats nearby |
| Fake payment link on Kleinanzeigen | A “buyer” or “seller” sends you a link to “receive” or “secure” money. | Any link that asks for your card data |
Warning signs: the checklist
- The rent is far below what similar flats in the area cost.
- The landlord cannot meet or show the flat by live video call.
- You are pushed to decide today because “many people are interested”.
- The email address or phone number does not match the name, or the German is clearly machine-translated.
- You are asked to pay by Western Union, MoneyGram, crypto, gift cards or a foreign bank account.
- The contract arrives as a PDF without the landlord’s full name and address, or the address does not exist.
- The same photos appear on other listings or hotel websites.
How to check a listing in 5 minutes
- Reverse image search the photos with Google Lens. If they appear elsewhere with another address or price, walk away.
- Check the address on Google Maps and Street View. Does the building match the photos?
- Compare the price with similar flats on WG-Gesucht or ImmoScout24 in the same area.
- Ask for a live video viewing where the person walks through the flat and shows the street outside. Scammers usually refuse.
- Paste the offer into our rental scam checker to see which red flags it shows.
How to pay safely
- Pay the deposit and first rent only after signing a written rental contract with the landlord’s full name and address, ideally after you have the keys.
- Transfer money to a German or EU bank account in the landlord’s or company’s name, never to a private third person.
- By law, the deposit for a flat may be at most three months of net cold rent (rent without utilities), and you may pay it in three monthly instalments, the first at the start of the tenancy.
- Keep every receipt, email and chat. You will need them if something goes wrong.
- If a platform offers payment protection, use the platform’s own payment system and never a link sent by the other person.
Safer ways to find a place from abroad
- Student dorms from the Studierendenwerk in your city are the safest and cheapest option. Apply early, waiting lists are long.
- Your university’s housing office or International Office often has verified offers or temporary rooms.
- Furnished temporary flats for your first 1 to 3 months, so you can search properly once you are in Germany.
- Senior students from your university or community groups can view a flat for you. Still never pay before you have a contract.
Read our full guide on how to find a WG in Germany for platforms and application tips.
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Already paid a scammer? Do this immediately
- Stop all contact and do not pay anything more, even if they promise a refund.
- Call your bank at once. A recent bank transfer can sometimes still be recalled, and card payments may be disputed.
- Save the evidence: screenshots of the listing, chats, emails, payment receipts and the scammer’s details.
- Report it to the police. In every federal state you can file a report online (Onlinewache).
- Report the listing to the platform so others are protected.
- If you sent ID copies, mention this in your police report and request your free yearly SCHUFA data copy later to check that no contracts were opened in your name.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to pay a deposit before viewing a flat in Germany?
No. Legitimate landlords take the deposit after the contract is signed, usually at the start of the tenancy. A payment before any viewing is the most common sign of a scam.
How high can the deposit be?
For flats, the deposit may be at most three months of net cold rent, and tenants may pay it in three monthly instalments. Furnished rooms and student dorms may have their own rules, so read the contract.
Do I have to pay an agent fee?
Only if you hired the agent yourself. If the landlord hired the agent, the landlord pays the commission.
How can I view a flat if I am still in India or Nepal?
Ask for a live video viewing, or ask a friend or senior student to visit for you. Never accept a pre-recorded video as the only proof.
Is Kleinanzeigen safe for flats?
Many real offers are on Kleinanzeigen, but so are many scams. Use the platform’s messaging, never click payment links from other users and meet in person before paying anything.
Related guides and free tools
- Free rental scam checker
- How to find a WG in Germany
- Cost of living in Germany
- Emergency guide for students
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