Renting an apartment abroad: deposits, contracts and avoiding scams

Finding somewhere to live is the first real test of a new city, and it's where scammers do their best work — because you're in a hurry, unfamiliar with local norms and often searching before you arrive. A little structure protects your money and your nerves.

Deposits and up-front cash

Expect to front a lot at once: typically one to three months' deposit plus the first month's rent, and sometimes an agent fee on top. In competitive markets like Amsterdam, landlords can ask for even more from tenants without a local history. Know how deposits are protected locally, and always get a signed receipt stating the amount and the conditions for its return.

Read the contract before you sign anything

Rental law varies wildly. Check the notice period, who pays for repairs and utilities, whether rent increases are capped, and what counts as "normal wear" when you leave. If the contract is only in the local language, get it translated — signing something you can't read is how disputes start.

Agent fees and how they work

In some countries the landlord pays the agent; in others the tenant does, sometimes a full month's rent. Neither is a scam by itself — the trap is not knowing which applies before you view. Ask up front who pays the fee and exactly what it covers.

Spotting a rental scam

• The price is too good — a central flat far below market rate in a city like London is bait, not luck.
• You can't view it— the "owner" is abroad and needs a deposit to hold it. Never pay for a place you haven't seen, in person or via a trusted contact.
• Pressure and wire transfers — urgency plus an irreversible payment method is the classic combination. Slow down.
• No written contract — if they resist putting terms in writing, walk away.

Whenever you can, secure short-term housing first and sign a long lease only after you've viewed the place and met the landlord. The extra fortnight in a rental costs less than a deposit you never get back.