Amsterdam Rental Scams: How to Spot Them Before You Pay
A tight market attracts fraud. Expats searching from abroad are frequent targets because they cannot easily view a home in person. These checks protect your money and your identity.
Updated 29 September 2026
The most common warning signs
Be careful when several of these appear together:
- Rent far below the Amsterdam market (a one-bedroom starts around €2,300)
- The 'owner' is abroad and cannot show the home
- You are asked to pay a deposit before any viewing
- Payment via money transfer services, crypto or a foreign account
- Pressure to decide within minutes
- Requests for a passport copy before a viewing is even arranged
Never pay to view
Never transfer money only to secure a viewing or a key. Pay the deposit and first month only after you have seen the home (in person or through someone you trust) and signed a contract that names the correct property and parties.
Protect your documents
Landlords do need identity and income evidence, but only share it through a trustworthy process. You can watermark copies with the date and purpose, and hide your BSN and passport photo where they are not required.
Know the legal basics
A deposit is usually one month's rent and at most two. Since 2023, an agency acting for the landlord may not charge you, the tenant, a finding fee. A service that works only for you may charge a fee agreed in advance.
Let a local check for you
If you are still abroad, a local home hunter can view the home, confirm who the landlord is and check the contract before you commit. That is one of the main reasons expats work with us.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to pay a deposit before viewing in Amsterdam?
No. Paying before viewing is one of the clearest warning signs of a rental scam.
How much deposit can a landlord ask in the Netherlands?
Usually one month's rent and at most two months.
Sources and market notes
Prices are asking-price guidance, not a guarantee. Availability, furnishing, location and the individual home can change the final rent.