Step 3: Educate yourself on housing scams

/// Avoiding Scams

Every year, students who are searching for homes are scammed by fake accounts and landlords claiming to be offering student housing. While being scammed is character building, it is also avoidable. Below is a list of red flags that are reliable signs that you may be in the process of being scammed.

• Is the price too good to be true?
• Does the account post multiple listings in several cities?
• Is the landlord abroad and cannot arrange a viewing?
• Are you immediately referred to a second person?
• Are there signs of non-Dutch power plugs, appliances, brands, food etc. in the photos?
• Does the view outside of the windows look like the Netherlands?
• Is the apartment perfect in every way? (Close to amenities, fully furnished, good price, etc.)
• Do they request payment via Airbnb?
• Do they pressure you into paying?

One approach to discover the validity of a rental is to use Google Image search for the photos that you have been sent. If these photos show up on a different listing, it’s likely that they are fraudulent.

Do you think you might be dealing with a scammer? Send a mail to housing@designacademy.nl and get a second opinion before sending any money.

/// DAE Do’s And Don’ts

• DO a thorough check of the landlord through social media.

In the past, DAE has seen scammers adopting the identity of real people, sending scans of passports and copying legitimate housing adverts to target students looking for housing. Be sure to crosscheck details across different search tools on the internet (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn etc.) and check that their details match up with what is being shared with you. If you are asked to send a deposit, make sure that the bank account details match the information you have received.

• DO be critical of the landlord’s personal details and payment details.

Payment details, such as an IBAN number, can tell you in what country and what type of a bank you are being asked to pay into. You can use this IBAN checker to find out more about the account number you have received.

If the bank is legitimate, the bank will have screened the owner, and you can be confident that if a dispute arises you can contact the bank, or an intermediary to get your money back. Be aware that not all IBAN numbers are for bank accounts. Scammers in Eindhoven have been known to give students an IBAN for a gift voucher in which to send their security deposit. In these cases it can be difficult to get your money back.

• DO investigate the images that are shared with you.

Are there signs of non-Dutch power plugs, appliances, brands, food etc. in the photos? Or does the view outside of the windows not look like the Netherlands? You might be looking at a fraudulent posting. Download, copy or screenshot images and paste them into Google Image Search to see if they have been used in adverts for another house before and

• DO be sceptical if the listing seems too good to be true.

This is particularly true of the price. Try to get accustomed with the average cost of housing by looking at housing for rent in the same area on a housing aggregator like Pararius.

• DO NOT allow anyone to pressure you into a payment.

Some scammers capitalise on the chaos of the housing market to pressure foreign students into paying them money. In general, we would always recommend that you don’t send money until a contract has been signed, so be cautious when a prospective landlord seems to get angry, agitated or frustrated that you have not sent money before signing a document of this sort.

• DO NOT accept an apartment without a viewing.

Pictures differ from reality, and there can be many reasons that the home you have found might not be a good fit. If you can’t make it, try to find someone who can go to the viewing in your place. If you’re new to the city, you might try Design Academy Student Affairs or ask within your new classmates to find someone who is willing to help you out.

• DO read your contract carefully.

The contract you receive will outline your obligations, as well as the obligations of the landlord. Try to understand the perspective of the housing market in the Netherlands while you read this, as it is structured to protect landlords and tenants.

• DO ask for second opinions.

You can reach out to the Housing Officer at DAE for a second opinion at housing@designacademy.nl.

• DO NOT send your ID if you are uncertain.

You can always send a redacted version of your passport, covering information such as the passport number, or the security code on the bottom of the document.

Source: Housing & rental scams in the Netherlands: ultimate red flag guide | DutchReview