rental scams

new roots4 minutes

Simon Svedlundreal estate agent, Svenska Mäklarhusetregistered brokerSvenska Mäklarhuset

Sweden's housing shortage makes finding a rental difficult, especially in larger cities. Unfortunately, scammers often target newcomers, international students, and anyone searching for second-hand accommodation. 

Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid losing money, sharing personal information with fraudsters, or arriving in Sweden without a place to live.

Moving to Sweden is exciting, but finding a place to rent? Not so much. 

Between queues, high demand, and confusing ads, it’s easy to get tripped up. This means that many people turn to second-hand rentals, sublets, and temporary accommodation. Scammers know this, and they’re ready to cash in. 

Fake apartment listings, fraudulent landlords, and pressure to make quick payments are common tactics. The good news is that most rental scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, they're often easy to spot.

the apartment doesn't exist
  • A scammer copies photos from a real property listing and advertises the apartment on social media, rental websites, or marketplace platforms. Interested renters are asked to pay a deposit or first month's rent before viewing the property
  • Once the money is transferred, the scammer disappears
landlord's abroad
  • A common story is that the owner has moved overseas and cannot show the apartment in person. They may claim they will mail the keys after receiving payment
  • Legitimate landlords rarely ask tenants to rent a property without viewing it first
prices too good to be true
  • An apartment in central Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö offered significantly below market rent should immediately raise questions
  • Scammers often use unrealistically low prices to attract a large number of applicants quickly
upfront payment requests

Being asked to transfer money before:

  • viewing the apartment
  • signing a rental agreement
  • verifying the landlord's identity

is one of the clearest warning signs.

fake documents
  • Scammers sometimes create convincing-looking contracts, receipts, ID documents, or proof of ownership. Professional-looking paperwork alone does not guarantee legitimacy
pressure and urgency
  • Scammers often create artificial urgency:
  • "There are many interested applicants"
  • "I need the deposit today"
  • "If you wait, someone else will take it"
  • Their goal is to prevent you from verifying details before paying
view the property

Whenever possible:

  • Visit the apartment in person
  • Meet the landlord or primary tenant
  • Confirm the property matches the listing
  • If you're still abroad, ask a trusted friend or colleague to view it on your behalf
verify who you're dealing with

Before transferring money:

  • Ask for identification
  • Confirm the person's connection to the property
  • Verify that they have the right to rent it out
  • For second-hand rentals, ensure the primary tenant has permission to sublet if required
use trusted platforms

Established housing platforms generally provide better protection than informal social media groups.

Examples include:

  • Boplats
  • HomeQ
  • Municipal housing queues
  • Reputable real estate agencies
read the rental agreement carefully

A written agreement should clearly state:

  • rent amount
  • deposit amount
  • rental period
  • notice period
  • names of both parties

Never rely solely on verbal agreements.

be careful with personal information

Avoid sending the following unless you're certain who is receiving them, and why they are needed:

  • Passport copies
  • Residence permit documents
  • Personal identity numbers
  • Bank details

Alarm bells should ring if: 

  • the rent seems unusually low
  • the landlord refuses a viewing
  • you're asked to pay immediately
  • communication feels rushed
  • the landlord avoids answering questions
  • the listing contains copied or generic photos
  • the property appears on multiple websites under different names
  • payment is requested through unusual methods

One warning sign doesn't always mean a scam. Several together should make you extremely cautious.

if you think you've been scammed, act quickly to:

  • stop all further payments
  • save emails, messages, receipts, and screenshots
  • contact your bank immediately
  • report the incident to the police
  • notify the platform where the listing appeared

The faster you act, the better the chance of limiting financial loss.

  • A signed contract does not automatically mean the rental is legitimate
  • High-demand cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö tend to attract more rental scams
  • Second-hand rentals require extra caution because verification is often more difficult

  • Never transfer a deposit before verifying both the property and the person renting it out
  • If an offer feels unusually good, take extra time to investigate it

↗︎ Boplats – Official municipal first-hand rental queue platform
↗︎ HomeQ – Sweden’s nationwide platform for private rentals
↗︎ Swedish Consumer Agency – Konsumentverket (in English)

Learn more about hyresrätt (renting first-hand)
Learn more about andrahand (second-hand)
Your inneboende (living with roommates) guide
Rental housing queues 

is it normal to pay a deposit in sweden?

Yes. Deposits are common, particularly for second-hand rentals. However, payment should generally happen after the property has been viewed and a rental agreement has been signed.

can I rent an apartment without seeing it?

It's possible, especially when moving from abroad, but it increases the risk significantly. Ask for a live video tour and verify the landlord's identity before making any payment.

are facebook housing groups safe?

Some are legitimate, but scammers are active on social media. Treat all listings with caution and verify everything independently.

what should I do if a landlord wants payment immediately?

Pause and verify the situation. Urgent payment requests are one of the most common signs of rental fraud.

how can I check whether a rental price is reasonable?

Compare similar apartments in the same area using multiple housing websites. If a listing is dramatically cheaper than comparable properties, investigate carefully.