🔍 3 Real Cases That Show How Easily Scammers Exploit Your Property
📍 Manchester: A Real Airbnb Property Used as Bait
An NHS nurse found a 3-bedroom home on Gumtree for only £750/month. After viewing the flat in person, she signed a lease, paid the deposit, and showed up with her belongings—only to find other people already staying inside. It turned out the property was an Airbnb, and the scammer (known as “Amy”) had likely rented it short-term, duplicated the keys, and posed as the owner during the vacant period.
▶️ Lesson: If you’re an Airbnb host, your property could be used in a scam without you even knowing.
📍 London: A Tenant Posing as a Landlord Steals £19,500
In this case, the scammer rented a flat legally but then advertised it as his own property. He collected £19,500 in advance rent from a victim, then vanished. Meanwhile, he had stopped paying rent himself and was eventually evicted by the actual landlord. Unfortunately, the victim who thought he was a tenant was kicked out by court bailiffs.
▶️ Lesson: If you’re a landlord, a dishonest tenant could be using your property to run scams behind your back.
📍 Belfast: Fake Contracts, Keys, and Viewings Target Vulnerable Renters
In Belfast, scammers offered viewings of a fake apartment, presented forged contracts, and handed over fake keys after collecting £450 deposits. The addresses were often real buildings, but the apartment numbers didn’t exist. Several similar cases have been reported in recent months.
▶️ Lesson: These scams are getting more professional and systematic. As an owner, your property might be unknowingly involved.
🚨 Dear Hosts & Landlords: Scam Prevention Isn’t Just a Renter’s Responsibility
It’s time to get proactive. Here’s what you can do to protect your property from being misused in rental scams:
✅ 1. Upgrade Lock and Access Control
- Avoid handing out physical keys to short-term guests for extended periods.
- Use smart locks with digital codes, and change codes between stays.
- For properties without a concierge or secure building access, this is even more critical.
✅ 2. Watch for Unusual Behavior
- If neighbors report people being shown around the property, or if strangers seem to be entering frequently, investigate immediately.
- Consider installing a smart doorbell camera or keeping regular contact with neighbors.
✅ 3. Work Closely with Your Property Manager
- Your property management company should conduct detailed check-outs and keep guest records.
- Make sure there are clear protocols for key handling and suspicious activity reporting.
✅ 4. Ban Unauthorized Subletting—Clearly
- Include a strict “no subletting or third-party leasing” clause in your rental agreements.
- If you suspect a tenant is illegally subletting, act quickly to terminate the lease and prevent further damage.
✅ 5. Use Platform Safety Features
- Airbnb and Booking.com offer ways to report suspicious behavior—use them.
- If you discover your property has been misused in a scam, report it to the police and alert the platform immediately to help prevent repeat offenses.
💬 Final Thought for All Hosts & Landlords:
You think you’re just renting out your property—but without the right precautions, you might be unknowingly involved in a scam.
With the housing market under pressure, demand rising, and tenants desperate for affordable options, scammers are becoming bolder and more creative. As property owners, we have a duty—and the tools—to stop them.
📩 Need help with rental agreement templates, fraud prevention systems, or investigating suspicious activity at your property? Contact us.
We’re here to help protect your property, your renters, and your peace
Cases:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66888497
