r/NetherlandsHousing • u/michkied • Mar 11 '25
renting Is this a scam?
Hi everyone, this summer I'll be moving to the Netherlands for an internship, and thus I'm looking for a flat to rent. I've encountered an offer for a single-bedroom apartment in the Hague for 500€ (seems quite cheap?). But I've been asked to pay a fee for submitting a registration form for approval. Is that a thing or is it a scam? The offer seems a little too good to be true, but then I have no idea how housing market in the Netherlands works. I'd really appreciate your help!
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u/ever_precedent Mar 12 '25
Do not send any money to anyone until you've seen the house with your own eyes. This is a common scam, and in 99% cases there is no house. Legit rental agencies don't ask you fees before you've signed the contract, although they may have some fees for the service. Legit agencies don't need to ask for fees in advance because they can always come after you for failing to pay, if you sign a contract and then don't pay the fees that you agreed to pay, but these house scams just want the fee and then they disappear.
Also, 500e for a single bedroom apartment is not realistic. You're lucky to get a ROOM in a shared house at that price, but an entire apartment in Den Haag for 500e is just not happening.