Renting Safely in 2025: Spotting Scams, Avoiding Fraud & Using Stekkies

How to Spot a Rental Scam: 10 Red Flags

Unfortunately, the Dutch rental market attracts its fair share of scammers. They know how to exploit the stress and urgency renters often feel. But by knowing what to look for, you can avoid a lot of trouble. Here are the 10 biggest warning signs of rental fraud:

1. The rent is suspiciously low for the location
   
2. You're asked to pay before viewing the property
   
3. The landlord claims to be abroad and unable to meet
   
4. Payment is requested via untraceable methods (crypto, cash)
   
5. The same advert appears under different names or on multiple sites
   
6. Photos are stolen from another website (check using reverse image search)
   
7. Communication is in poor Dutch or English
   
8. No rental contract is provided before payment
   
9. You're pressured to act fast ("There are already 5 people interested!")
   
10. No Chamber of Commerce (KvK) details or reviews exist for the provider
    

🔍 Stekkies uses filters and AI to automatically exclude adverts with these red flags; so you only receive trusted listings.

What If You’ve Been Scammed? 6 Immediate Steps

If you've fallen victim to rental fraud, don't panic. Follow these steps to act quickly and minimise the damage:

1. Gather evidence – screenshots, advert URLs, payment receipts
   
2. Stop all communication with the scammer
   
3. Report it to the police via politie.nl or at your local station
   
4. Notify Fraudehelpdesk.nl to help flag the scam
   
5. Contact your bank to try and reverse the payment
   
6. Warn others via reviews or forums like Reddit and Facebook housing groups
   

📢 Stekkies carefully curates its sources to keep you safe. But always stay alert; even when using trusted platforms.

How Does Stekkies Work? Be Faster Than the Rest

Stekkies isn’t a traditional rental platform. It’s a notification service: as soon as a new, trusted listing goes live, we alert you immediately. Simple, fast, and secure.

✅ We continuously scan hundreds of reliable sources
✅ We automatically filter out suspicious adverts
✅ You get alerts via App or email as soon as something relevant appears

⚙️ Thanks to our system, you’ll often hear about new listings before anyone else; giving you a real edge over other renters.

How to Safely Contact a Landlord

Reaching out to a landlord might seem straightforward, but this is often where scams begin. Follow these 7 safety tips when making contact:

1. Only use trusted platforms like Funda, Pararius, or Stekkies
   
2. Don’t rely on WhatsApp alone; always request a call or use the platform's chat
   
3. Ask for a (video) viewing before paying anything
   
4. Check the landlord’s details on the KvK (Chamber of Commerce)
   
5. Never pay without seeing a rental contract
   
6. Avoid cash or crypto payments; use traceable methods like bank transfers
   
7. Have someone join you for communication or viewings for extra safety
   

🛡️ With Stekkies, you're only linked to verified contact channels on trusted platforms.

Conclusion: Renting Safely Starts with Knowledge and Smart Tools

The Dutch rental market can be tough, but you don’t have to fall victim to scams. By knowing the signs of fraud, staying alert, and using tools like Stekkies, you massively increase your chances of finding a safe and suitable home.

Want to be the first to respond — and only receive alerts for trusted properties?

➡️ Try Stekkies today and receive your first safe housing alert instantly.