Rental scam complaints in Poland increased by over 35% between 2023 and 2025. Foreigners are the most common victims because they often don’t know local market prices, are searching from abroad under time pressure, may not read Polish well, and are unfamiliar with verification tools available in Poland.
🚨 8 Most Common Rental Scams
1. Fake Listings With Stolen Photos
Scammers copy real apartment photos from Otodom or agency websites and post them as their own listing at a below-market price. The apartment either doesn’t exist or is already rented.
🔍 How to spot it: Do a reverse image search of listing photos on Google Images or TinEye. If the same photo appears in multiple listings across different cities, it’s fake.
2. Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices
A furnished studio in central Warsaw or Kraków for 1,200–1,500 PLN when the market rate is 2,800–3,500 PLN is almost certainly a scam. Scammers use low prices to attract urgent interest.
🔍 How to spot it: Compare prices on Otodom for the same area and apartment type. If the price is more than 30% below market, walk away.
3. Advance Payment Before Viewing
The “landlord” asks you to wire a deposit or reservation fee before you can see the apartment. Once you pay, they disappear.
⚠️ Rule: No legitimate landlord asks for money before an in-person viewing. Never pay anything before you have physically seen the flat and signed a contract.
4. Landlord “Abroad” Scam
The “landlord” claims to be working or living abroad and cannot meet you. They offer to mail the keys after you transfer the first month’s rent and deposit.
🔍 How to spot it: Anyone who cannot meet you in person should be treated with extreme caution. Always insist on meeting the landlord or their verified representative face-to-face.
5. Facebook Fake Profiles
Newly created Facebook accounts with no history or few friends post attractive apartment listings in expat groups. They engage in friendly conversation, then request a deposit via Revolut, Western Union, or cryptocurrency.
🔍 How to spot it: Check the profile creation date and history. Request a video call showing the interior of the apartment. Demand payment only after signing a contract.
6. Agency Fee Scam
You visit an “agency” that asks you to pay a registration fee upfront before they show you properties. After you pay, they send fake listings and give excuses why none of them work out.
⚠️ Rule: Legitimate agencies only charge a commission after you successfully sign a rental contract. Never pay an agent upfront for access to listings.
7. Bait and Switch
The listing shows a renovated, furnished apartment. When you arrive to sign the contract, you’re told that flat “just got rented” and are shown a much worse one at the same price.
8. Hidden Fees After Signing
The landlord charges unexpected fees — “cleaning service,” “key deposit,” or vague “administrative costs” — not mentioned in the original listing or the contract.
⚠️ Rule: Everything that will be charged must be in the written contract. Refuse to pay anything not specified in writing.
✅ How to Verify a Landlord Before Paying
- Verify property ownership via the land register (księga wieczysta). Look up the property’s KW number at ekw.ms.gov.pl — it’s free. The person renting to you should appear in Section II as the owner. (It’s not always necessary, but if the ad is too suspicious, you can check it)
- Ask to see the landlord’s ID (dowód osobisty) and confirm the name matches the land register. (If they don’t show you their ID but give you the driver license or a student ID — it’s 100% a scam)
- Never pay in cash without a written receipt. Pay deposits by bank transfer
- Sign a written contract before handing over any money
🚩 Scam Red Flag Checklist
- ☐ Price significantly below market rate
- ☐ Request for payment before viewing
- ☐ Landlord unavailable to meet in person
- ☐ Payment requested via Western Union, MoneyGram, or cryptocurrency
- ☐ Newly created Facebook profile with no history
- ☐ Refusal to provide ID or ownership documents
- ☐ Stock photos or photos appearing in other listings
- ☐ Pressure to pay or decide immediately
- ☐ No written contract offered