Rental Scams in Groningen: How to Avoid Them

Key facts

Fact 1

As of 2026-07-01: Groningen is the largest city in the north and a major student town.

Fact 2

As of 2026-07-01: Many tenants are first-time renters, a key scam target.

Fact 3

As of 2026-07-01: Room scams cluster around the start of the academic year.

First-time-renter scams in Groningen

Groningen's scams exploit inexperience. Because so many tenants are signing their first-ever rental and searching around the start of term, fraudsters advertise rooms at approachable prices and rely on the fact that a newcomer may not recognise the warning signs. An owner who is "away" and asks for a deposit to hold a room can seem normal to someone who has never rented before. Listings near the university buildings and the lively city centre are common bait. The defence does not change with the lower prices: never pay to reserve a room before a viewing, confirm who you are dealing with, and keep messages and payments on traceable channels rather than moving to private chat and untraceable transfers.

The most common Dutch rental scam patterns

Most rental scams targeting expats follow a small set of patterns. A landlord claims to be abroad and says they cannot show the property in person or even over live video. You are asked to pay a deposit, first month, or a "viewing fee" before you have seen the home or signed anything. Keys are promised by mail or courier once the money arrives. Payment is requested through irreversible channels such as Western Union, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash. The price is far below the local market, and there is heavy pressure to "decide today" because "many others are interested." Finally, the conversation is moved off the rental platform to WhatsApp or email, where there is no record and no protection.

How to verify a listing before you pay anything

Never send money before an in-person or live video viewing and a signed contract. Ask to see the property with the person who claims to own or manage it, and ask for identification and proof of ownership or a management mandate. Reverse-image search the listing photos: scammers reuse images from real estate sites. Check that the address exists and matches the photos. Be sceptical of prices well below comparable homes in the same neighbourhood. Keep the entire conversation on the platform where you found the listing, and pay only via traceable methods once you have a signed agreement. If anything feels rushed, that urgency is itself a warning sign.

What to do if you have already paid a scammer

If you have already transferred money, act quickly. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to ask whether the transfer can be recalled or disputed. Report the fraud to the Dutch police (you can file a report online) and to the platform where you found the listing so they can remove it. Keep every message, receipt, and profile screenshot as evidence. Warn others by reporting the profile. While recovery is not guaranteed, reporting improves your chances and helps prevent others from being targeted. Before your next application, run the listing and any landlord messages through a screening step so the same signals are caught early.

Frequently asked questions

It's my first time renting in Groningen — what should I watch for?

First-time renters are a key target. Never pay a deposit to hold a room before a viewing, be wary of start-of-term urgency, and verify the landlord's identity before sending any money.

Are lower Groningen prices a sign it's safe?

No. Lower prices can create false confidence. Scammers pitch rooms at approachable prices precisely so they look normal, so apply the same checks you would anywhere.

What is the most common rental scam signal?

The single most common signal is being asked to pay money — a deposit, first month, or "viewing fee" — before you have seen the property in person or over live video and before anything is signed. Legitimate landlords do not need payment to let you view a home.

Is a landlord being abroad always a scam?

No, but it is a strong warning sign, especially when combined with a refusal to do a live video viewing, keys promised by mail, and payment via irreversible methods. Treat an "abroad" landlord who won't show the home as high risk until proven otherwise.