Rental scams are a genuine and ongoing problem in Australia, with government bodies like Scamwatch and state consumer affairs agencies regularly warning renters to stay alert. Knowing the common red flags is the simplest way to protect yourself and your money.
Why Rental Scams Are So Common
Scammers advertise fake or misrepresented rental properties on well-known property websites, often using real addresses, stolen photos, and even scanned copies of stolen identity documents to appear convincing. According to Scamwatch, these scams frequently rely on an "overseas landlord" story — the person cannot show you the property in person because they claim to be travelling, working abroad, or doing humanitarian work. Tenants Victoria notes that scams are more common on platforms where licensed real estate agents don't typically advertise, such as Facebook, Gumtree, and some flatmate-finder sites.
The Price That's Too Good to Be True
A property listed well below the going rate for its area and type is one of the clearest warning signs. Tenants Victoria specifically flags "unusually low rent or incredible amenities" as a common scam tactic, designed to attract a high volume of interested renters quickly. If a modern property in a popular suburb is priced significantly under everything comparable nearby, that gap is worth treating with real caution.
Pressure to Pay Before You've Seen the Property
Genuine landlords and agents in Australia do not typically ask for bond or rent payments before you've inspected the property, either in person or via a live video call. A key scam pattern involves being asked to pay quickly — often the bond or first month's rent — before any real inspection has taken place. Scammers also often create a false sense of urgency, claiming multiple other applicants are waiting, to pressure you into paying faster than you'd otherwise be comfortable with.
Unusual or Untraceable Payment Requests
How you're asked to pay matters. Consumer Affairs Victoria advises avoiding money transfer services or direct bank transfers where possible, since these payment methods offer little to no chance of recovering funds if something goes wrong. The Tenants' Union of NSW is more direct still: never pay using gift cards, cash, or cryptocurrency. If a payment method feels unusual for a straightforward rental transaction, that's a legitimate reason to pause.
Photos and Listings That Don't Add Up
A simple reverse image search can reveal a lot. Consumer Affairs Victoria and the WA Government both recommend searching listing photos online to check whether they've been lifted from another site or a previous, unrelated advertisement. Tenants Victoria also points out a subtler clue: details in photos that don't match the claimed location, such as US-style power sockets appearing in a listing for a Melbourne rental.
Verifying the Agent or Landlord Is Real
If someone claims to represent a known agency, it's worth independently looking up that agency's official contact details and calling to confirm the person actually works there — rather than relying on the contact information given to you directly. For private landlords, checking identification and, where possible, confirming who legally owns the property adds another layer of protection. Tenants Victoria specifically recommends a title search through Landata to confirm property ownership before proceeding.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If something feels off, Scamwatch's core advice is straightforward: insist on inspecting the property in person, and never send money before you have. If you've already lost money or shared personal details, contact your bank immediately and report the scam through Scamwatch or your state's consumer protection agency.
How EzyFlats Helps Close This Gap
It's completely understandable to be cautious when renting, especially as a new renter. EzyFlats is designed to give you a more secure, verified process from the start:
Verified landlords. Every landlord goes through identity verification before they can list a property, so you're not dealing with an anonymous party (hosts also go through a separate verification step as part of onboarding).
Protected first payment. Your first week's rent is held under EzyFlats' Move-In Guarantee until after you've confirmed the property matches the listing — not paid upfront to someone you've never met.
Full refund if something's off. If the property doesn't match what was advertised, you have a clear path to a refund rather than an informal dispute with no protection.
Transparent process. No hidden fees or surprise costs — what's on the listing is what applies.
This doesn't mean scams don't exist elsewhere in the market — they clearly do, and the vigilance outlined above still matters no matter where you're searching. But a platform with verification on both sides of the transaction gives renters a meaningfully more accountable process than an unverified listing found on an open marketplace.