🚩 Rental scams in Rome: how they work and how to avoid them

Every year thousands of students, workers and families look for a long-term rental in Rome — and scammers know it. Most scams follow the same few scripts. Once you know them, they are easy to spot.

1. "Pay first, I'll send you the keys"

The "landlord" says they live abroad (London, Germany, a mission somewhere) and can't show you the flat. They ask you to pay the deposit and first month, and promise to send the keys by courier. There are no keys. There is often no apartment.

Rule: never pay before you or someone you trust has been inside the apartment and met the landlord.

2. The fake booking platform

The scammer asks you to pay "safely" through Airbnb, Booking or a payment-protection service — then sends a link to a fake copy of that site. Real platforms never send you to pay through a link received by email or WhatsApp for a long-term rental arranged outside the platform.

3. Stolen photos, non-existent flat

Photos are copied from holiday rentals or other listings. Do a reverse image search (Google Lens or TinEye) on two or three photos. If they appear on a different listing, in a different city or under a different name — walk away.

4. The real flat, the wrong person

Someone shows you a real apartment — a short-term tenant, a cleaner, or someone who rented it for a weekend — and takes deposits from several people. Ask to see an ID and a document that links the person to the property (for example a visura catastale or a utility bill in their name), and make sure the name matches the contract.

5. Too good to be true

A large furnished flat in Trastevere or Prati for half the market price is the bait. Compare the price with similar listings in the same neighbourhood before getting excited.

6. The "reservation fee"

"Many people want it — pay €300 now to reserve the viewing." A legitimate landlord or agency does not charge you to look at an apartment.

7. Identity theft

Some scammers don't want your money — they want scans of your passport, payslips and bank details. Share documents only after you've met the landlord and only what the contract really needs.

Red flags checklist

• Money requested before a viewing
• Owner abroad or "too busy" to meet
• Payment by Western Union, MoneyGram, crypto, gift cards or to a foreign bank account
• No live video call from inside the apartment
• Pressure: "decide today"
• No written contract, or refusal to register it

Already paid? Act fast

1. Call your bank immediately and ask to stop or recall the transfer.
2. Keep every screenshot, email and the listing link.
3. File a report with the Polizia Postale (commissariatodips.it) or at any police station.
4. Report the listing to the website where you found it.
5. Report it on SafeRentRome so others can find the scammer's number, email or IBAN.

Not sure about a listing? Send it to us — the check is free.