Be wary of new rental scams

Be wary of new rental scams

“As a renter or landlord in South Africa, you always need to remain vigilant and aware. If you aren’t careful, you could fall prey to one of the many property rental scams that fraudsters pose to try and catch out the vulnerable. However, by having your wits about you, and knowing what to look for, you can avoid running into these problems.” says Gerhard Kotzé, CEO of the RealNet property group.

“Many reports indicate a sharp rise in rental fraud in 2025, with many of them noting that criminals are getting particularly creative in the way they present these scams. According to these reports, online rental scams have become one of the most common types of property fraud, causing hundreds of South Africans to lose their hard-earned rands.

“Online rental fraud typically takes place when scammers post fake rental listings or steal legitimate ones to deceive potential renters into paying deposits or rent without any real property being available. While typically it was tenants who were at risk, landlords are also now being targeted by scammers acting as trustworthy tenants, providing fake proof of income, and references to secure a lease only to stop making payments and then disappear. This then leaves the landlord with the costly eviction processes.

“In one of the most common versions of these scams, the scammers will advertise non-existent or already occupied properties at highly desirable rates to attract unsuspecting potential renters. Once these potential renters show interest in the property, the scammers will pressure them into paying deposits and advance rent before even allowing a viewing. Unfortunately, the victim then usually finds out too late that the property was never available to begin with, and that they have lost their money.

“Another tactic these scammers employ is by impersonating legitimate Property Practitioners, complete with professional, branded emails and fake credentials. Some fraudsters will even go as far as to arrange property viewings using stolen keys or renting short-term accommodation to create the illusion of legitimacy.

“There are a large number of scams that these criminals make use of, but regardless of the method, the goal of each scam remains the same: to extract money from unsuspecting renters and landlords.

“To avoid rental scams, both tenants and landlords should always verify that they are dealing with a legitimate Property Practitioner by checking their registration with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA).”