How to spot a fake rental listing
The warning signs, and how Paddy reviews every listing first.
Paddy · 29 October 2026 · 4 min read
Rental scams follow the same pattern: a home that looks too good, a rent below the area, and pressure to pay before you visit. Here is what to look for.
The warning signs
They ask for money before you have seen the home, even a small viewing fee. They will not meet you at the property or keep changing the address. They push you to pay today because many people want it, or move you off Paddy to WhatsApp before a viewing.
What Paddy does
Our team reviews every home before it goes live, checks the photos against other listings, confirms the address and map pin, and reviews proof that the landlord owns or can rent out the home. We also hold messages that ask for money before a viewing.
What you should do
Visit the home and meet the landlord before you pay anything. Ask to see proof that they own the home or can rent it out. Pay the landlord directly, get a receipt, and sign a written tenancy agreement.