How students can avoid rental scams
Every September, scammers post fake listings aimed squarely at students who are panicking about not having a place. International and first-year students get hit hardest. None of it works if you know the red flags.
The red flags
- Rent that's too good — a furnished room far below the going rate is the oldest bait there is.
- “I'm out of the country, just e-transfer the deposit” — if you can't see the unit and the “landlord” can never meet, walk away.
- Pressure to pay immediately — “three other people want it, send the deposit to hold it tonight.” Urgency is the scammer's main tool.
- No lease, or a vague one — legitimate landlords have paperwork.
- Photos that look stock — reverse-image-search listing photos; scammers reuse them.
- Payment by gift card or crypto — never. This is always a scam.
The rules that protect you
- Never pay before you see it. See the unit in person, or send a trusted local to view it. No viewing, no money.
- Meet in person first, ideally somewhere public for the initial chat.
- Get everything in writing — rent, term, what's included, the deposit amount, and move-in date.
- Use traceable payment and keep records.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, it usually is.
Why verification changes the math
Most scams rely on anonymity — anyone can spin up a Kijiji post or a fake Facebook profile. That's the gap a verified marketplace closes. On SubSwap, every student is confirmed by university email and every landlord submits business documents for manual review before a listing goes live. There are no anonymous posts and no cold messages, which removes the conditions scammers need.
If you're subletting from another student
Make sure the person actually has the right to sublet — their own landlord has to consent in most leases. We explain the difference in sublet vs. sublease. A sublet arranged without landlord approval can leave you with no legal standing if things go sideways.
The single rule that stops almost every rental scam: never send money for a place you (or someone you trust) haven't physically stood inside.
Find your place. Find your people.
SubSwap connects verified Atlantic Canadian students for subleases and roommate matching. Free to join with your university email.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a rental listing is a scam?
Watch for below-market rent, a landlord who can never meet in person, pressure to pay a deposit immediately, requests for gift cards or crypto, and reused stock photos. Any one of these is a reason to stop.
Should I pay a deposit before seeing an apartment?
No. Never send money for a place you or a trusted person haven't seen in person. This single rule prevents the large majority of rental scams.
Are Facebook and Kijiji rentals safe for students?
They can work, but they don't verify who's posting, which is what scammers exploit. A platform that verifies students by university email and reviews landlords removes most of that risk.
What payment methods should I avoid?
Never pay rent or deposits by gift card or cryptocurrency — these are unrecoverable and are hallmarks of scams. Use traceable methods and keep records.