Room rental scams: warning signs and how to stay safe

Warning signs

• The price is too good for the area and the photos look like a hotel or magazine.
• They can't show you the room because they're overseas, away for work or "just about to fly out".
• They want money first: a deposit, bond or "holding fee" before any inspection.
• Unusual payment methods: gift cards, crypto, money transfer services or paying a stranger's account.
• Pressure to move fast or to move the chat to another app straight away.
• Requests for ID copies before you've even met.

How to stay safe

• Inspect in person or by live video where you can see the room and ask for things to be shown.
• Keep the chat on the site until you've met.
• Search the photos with a reverse image search to see if they appear elsewhere.
• Pay only after inspecting, and lodge any bond with your state or territory's bond authority.
• Get it in writing: rent, bond, bills and notice period.

If something feels wrong

Stop, don't pay, and report the listing to the site. If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away and report it to Scamwatch and ReportCyber.

How MateHaus helps

• Free for everyone. Browse rooms, post a room-wanted profile and message anyone without paying or waiting.
• Checked listings. Every member verifies their mobile number by SMS code, and every new room listing is checked by the MateHaus team before it goes live.
• Lifestyle match. Both sides answer a few quick questions, and each room shows how well you'd likely live together.
• Inspections in the chat. Pick an open-for-inspection time or suggest one. Once you both accept, you each get a calendar invite.
• Match alerts. Save a search and get an email when a new room suits your budget.

Common questions

How can I tell if a room listing is fake?

Warning signs include a price far below the area, a lister who can't show the room, requests for money before an inspection, unusual payment methods and pressure to move fast.

Should I pay a deposit before inspecting a room?

No. Inspect first, in person or by live video, and get the rent, bond and bills in writing before you pay.

What should I do if I've been scammed?

Contact your bank straight away, report the listing to the site, and report it to Scamwatch and ReportCyber.

How does MateHaus check listings?

Every member verifies their mobile number by SMS code and every new room listing is checked by the MateHaus team before it goes live.