In a tight rental market, a big, shiny, under‑priced listing can feel like a miracle. But Australian regulators are still seeing renters lose money to fake or misleading ads, often on well‑known platforms.
This guide covers the main red flags, the simple checks consumer agencies recommend, and how EzyFlats reduces the most common risks.
Why “too good to be true” is still a warning
The ACCC has warned that rental and accommodation scams have been a persistent problem, with losses jumping by 76% in one early pandemic period and continuing since then. WA Consumer Protection says it received 35 rental‑scam reports and 12 victims lost $27,875 in just the first half of 2025, on track to exceed the previous year’s totals.
The pattern is familiar:
listings at well below normal market rent;
supposed “owners” who say they are overseas or unavailable;
pressure to pay bond or rent upfront before inspection;
fake emails that look like they are from bond authorities or government agencies.
Red flag 1: Rent far below similar homes
A bargain is not automatically a scam, but regulators highlight heavily under‑priced listings as a common lure. Slow down if the advertised weekly rent is much lower than:
other properties in the same suburb;
similar homes with similar features.
Quick check: search current listings in the suburb with the same bedroom count. If one home is dramatically cheaper, treat that as a trigger to verify more carefully, not a reason to rush.
Red flag 2: No real inspection
Consumer Affairs Victoria and WA Consumer Protection both stress seeing inside the property before you hand over money where possible. Be cautious if:
the landlord says you cannot inspect because they are overseas or a tenant is still inside;
they refuse any live video walk‑through.
If you truly cannot inspect in person (for example, you are interstate), ask for:
a short live video call showing both the person and the property;
proof they belong to a known agency (you can confirm via the agency’s official website).
Red flag 3: Payment outside secure channels
Scammers often ask for:
direct transfer to a personal account,
money transfer services, or
payments through links in emails that look official but are not.
WA Consumer Protection has seen scammers impersonate its own Bonds Administration team, using government branding in fake confirmation emails. Authorities advise:
avoid paying bond or rent by money transfer services;
be cautious with direct transfers unless you are certain of the account;
check the sender’s email address really uses the correct government or agency domain.
In Victoria, renters can pay bond directly to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), which means the money never sits in a third‑party account . Other states have equivalent bond authorities with similar guidance.
Red flag 4: Photos that don’t stack up
Scam listings often reuse images from other ads or overseas sites. Consumer Affairs Victoria and WA Consumer Protection suggest using reverse image search on listing photos to see whether the same images appear in a different city or under a different agency.
Warning signs:
interior photos that do not match the described building type;
photos that appear in ads for a different address or country.
Red flag 5: Person or “agency” you cannot verify
Scammers frequently:
use generic webmail addresses;
claim a connection to a real agency but refuse to use an agency email;
or avoid giving a verifiable office number.
Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends contacting the agency via contact details on its official website, not via those in the ad, to confirm that a person works there and is authorised to handle the property .
You can also:
check your state’s real estate licence register;
look up the business in official directories;
insist on an email from the agency’s domain.
How EzyFlats reduces these risks
EzyFlats does not remove the need for caution, but its structure closes off many of the usual scam routes.
Pre‑screened listings and real photos
Listings are not self‑serve. Every property is pre‑screened before going live.
Only real photographs are allowed; stock and AI‑generated images are explicitly disallowed .
Properties are syndicated through verified EzyFlats profiles on Domain and Flatmates, making it easier to cross‑check ads .
This significantly reduces the chance of cloned or fabricated listings.
Applications and payments kept inside the platform
Renters apply, verify, sign, and pay through EzyFlats, not via ad‑hoc bank details.
The first week’s rent is held in a Stripe‑managed trust account and only released three days after move‑in, with ongoing rent collected via Stripe subscriptions .
You are not asked to send money to unknown personal accounts or follow unverified payment links.
Verified renters, landlords, and documentation
Tenant verification uses government ID, income documents, and reference checks before approval .
Condition reports are item‑by‑item, photo‑documented, and hash‑verified, giving both sides a clear move‑in record .
In South Australia, EzyFlats operates as a licensed real estate agency (RLA 346573) and lodges bonds with the state authority; elsewhere it operates as a defined digital platform with transparent scope .
That combination of verification and documentation is exactly what consumer agencies encourage renters to look for.
A simple checklist before you apply anywhere
Regulators and tenant support services consistently recommend these steps:
Compare the rent with similar homes in the same suburb.
Search the address to see if it is already listed by a legitimate agent.
Run a reverse image search on key photos.
Insist on seeing inside (in person or live video) before paying.
Confirm the person’s identity via an official agency or platform website.
Pay bond and rent through secure, traceable channels, not unverified transfers.
If something feels wrong, contact your state consumer agency (such as Consumer Affairs Victoria or WA Consumer Protection) for advice before sending money.
If you think you have paid a scammer, contact your bank immediately and report it to your state consumer agency or scam reporting service as well as the platform involved.
A listing that looks too cheap and too perfect deserves a closer look, not blind trust. Slowing down, running a few checks, and using platforms that embed verification and secure payments — like EzyFlats — can help you focus on whether the home suits your life, instead of worrying whether it exists.
This article is general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Renting rules and consumer protection processes differ between Australian states and territories and may change over time. Always check current guidance from your local consumer affairs or fair trading agency before making decisions about renting or dealing with suspected scams.