Here’s How to Avoid Scams while Looking for Student Housing

You’ve found a spacious, furnished room close to Groningen’s city centre. The rent is surprisingly low, utilities are included and the landlord says you can move in immediately. Sounds perfect, right?

It might be, but unusually attractive offers deserve a closer look.

Scammers often advertise rooms at prices well below the usual market rate to attract as many students as possible. They may use photographs taken from other rental advertisements or provide very little information about the property itself.

Before responding, compare the advertised rent with similar rooms in Groningen. You can also check whether the address exists and search for the same photographs on other housing websites.

If the pictures appear in advertisements for different cities or the landlord cannot provide basic information about the accommodation, there may be something wrong.

One of the most common housing scams involves a supposed landlord who claims to be living or working abroad.

You might receive a friendly email explaining that they cannot show you the property in person. Instead, they offer photographs, a rental contract and perhaps even a copy of their passport to prove their identity.

However, a passport copy is not proof that someone owns a property. Scammers sometimes use identification documents collected from previous victims to make their stories appear convincing.

Eventually, the landlord may ask you to transfer a deposit or the first month’s rent before sending you the keys. Once you’ve paid, the communication stops.

Always try to view a room before committing to it. If you’re still abroad, ask someone you trust in Groningen to visit the property or arrange a live video viewing.

The University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences both advise students to verify the accommodation before making payments.

Receiving a professional-looking rental agreement can be reassuring. Unfortunately, fake contracts are another technique used by housing scammers.

Some scammers go to considerable lengths to appear trustworthy. They may introduce someone pretending to be a lawyer, provide official-looking documents or even arrange a viewing of a property they don’t actually have permission to rent out.

In other cases, students have received keys after paying a deposit, only to discover that the keys don’t work when they arrive.

Before signing, check whether the person offering the accommodation is authorised to rent it out. Make sure the landlord’s details match the rental agreement and ask questions if anything seems unclear.

A genuine rental agreement should clearly explain the rent, deposit, rental period and any additional costs. And lawyers or notaries in The Netherlands do not sign a rental agreement!

Never transfer money simply because someone has sent you a contract. First, verify the property and the person offering it.

Groningen’s housing market is competitive, and rooms can be rented out quickly. However, there is a difference between a popular room and someone deliberately pressuring you into making a payment.

Scammers may tell you that several other students are interested or that you must transfer a deposit immediately to reserve the accommodation.

Be especially careful if someone asks you to pay for a viewing or to become the preferred candidate. We have previously warned about fraudulent advertisements on social media, including TikTok, where scammers request advance payments for rooms that aren’t available; or landlords using free email-adresses such as Gmail or Outlook.

Never pay a deposit before verifying the landlord, viewing the accommodation and signing a rental agreement. Avoid cash payments and payment services that make transactions difficult to trace.

Money isn’t the only thing scammers want. Your personal information can also be valuable.

During your housing search, someone may ask you to provide a copy of your passport or identity card to prepare a rental agreement. While legitimate housing providers may need to verify your identity, you should never send an unprotected copy to someone you haven’t verified.

Scammers can reuse stolen identification documents to deceive other students or commit identity fraud.

If you genuinely need to provide a copy of your ID, consider using the Dutch government’s KopieID app. This allows you to hide unnecessary personal information and add a watermark explaining who the document is intended for. This only works for Dutch ID documents.

You can read more in our guide to safely sharing your ID with a landlord.

There is another important question you should ask before renting a room: can you register at the address with the Municipality of Groningen?

Students who live in Groningen must comply with the applicable municipal registration requirements. If a landlord tells you that registration is not possible, it may indicate that the accommodation is being rented out without the necessary permission.

For shared student houses, you should also check whether the landlord has the required rental permits. Groningen has specific rules for properties rented to several unrelated tenants.

Remember that having a valid permit doesn’t automatically mean an advertisement is genuine. Someone could still be using a real address without the owner’s permission.

If something doesn’t feel right, stop the conversation before sending money or personal information.

You can ask the At Home in Groningen helpdesk for guidance or contact your university’s housing support services. Hanze students can also contact Hanze’s Housing Manager when they are unsure about an offer.

If you’ve already lost money to a scammer, report the incident to the Dutch police. Save the advertisement, conversations, payment details and any documents you’ve received, as these may help with the investigation.

If your problem involves a landlord who is intimidating tenants, charging unlawful fees or otherwise violating rental regulations, you can also seek advice from the Rent Support Center Groningen or report undesirable landlord behaviour to the municipality.

One of the best ways to avoid housing scams is to give yourself enough time to find accommodation.

Both Hanze University of Applied Sciences and the University of Groningen recommend starting your search well before the academic year begins. The earlier you start, the less pressure you’ll feel to accept a questionable offer.

Try different housing platforms, consider accommodation outside the city centre and don’t rely on a single advertisement. A room that isn’t quite your first choice may still be a much better option than taking unnecessary risks.

Finding your first student home in Groningen should be the beginning of a great experience. Take your time, ask questions and make sure you know who you’re dealing with.