Safety
Rental Scams in Munich and Nuremberg: 10 Warning Signs Before You Pay
In short
Never transfer money before you have viewed the place and signed a rental contract. Most fake listings follow the same pattern: an unusually low price in a popular area, a landlord who is supposedly abroad, and pressure to pay a deposit quickly. Under German law, the deposit is only due when the tenancy starts, and you may pay it in three monthly instalments.
Why scammers target Munich and Nuremberg
Rooms in Munich and Nuremberg are in high demand, especially before the semesters start in spring and autumn. Many people search for weeks, and many move from abroad without being able to view a place in person. Scammers take advantage of exactly that: they copy photos of real flats, add an attractive price and push for a fast payment.
Two German terms you will see everywhere: a WG (Wohngemeinschaft) is a shared flat, and the Kaution is the rental deposit. This guide is also available in German if you want to share it with a German-speaking flatmate.
The 10 most common warning signs
- Money before a viewing. You are asked to pay a deposit, a “reservation fee” or the first rent before you have seen the place.
- The price is too good. A room in Maxvorstadt or an apartment in Nuremberg’s old town far below the usual price is almost never a lucky find.
- The landlord is abroad. They are supposedly working in another country, cannot show you the flat and want to rent it out “based on trust”.
- Keys by post or courier. The keys are to be sent after payment – there is no real handover with a handover report.
- Unusual payment methods. Cash transfer services, gift cards, cryptocurrency or PayPal “Friends and Family”: money sent this way is very hard to get back.
- A supposed escrow or booking platform. You receive a link to a site that looks like a well-known portal and claims to “hold the deposit safely”.
- Pressure and urgency. “There are many applicants, whoever pays today gets the room.” Legitimate landlords give you time for a viewing and a contract.
- Written contact only. A phone or video call keeps getting postponed, and the replies read like templates.
- A copy of your ID right away. Passport, payslips or bank details are requested before any appointment. This can be aimed at identity theft.
- Photos and details do not match. The pictures appear in other listings or cities, the address and district stay vague, details contradict each other.
Legitimate or a red flag? A quick comparison
| Situation | How it works when it is legitimate | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing | In person or via live video with someone who is inside the flat | No viewing possible, only photos |
| Deposit | After signing the contract, first instalment when the tenancy starts | Immediately, before a viewing or a contract |
| Payment | Bank transfer to the account named in the rental contract | Cash transfer, gift cards, crypto, “escrow” link |
| Documents | Self-disclosure once you want the flat; proof of income shortly before signing | ID copy and bank details before the first contact |
| Keys | Handed over in person with a handover report | Sent by post or courier |
| Registration | You receive the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung you need for your Anmeldung | The landlord avoids the question |
How to check a listing in five minutes
- Reverse image search: upload a photo from the listing to Google Lens or Bing image search. If it shows up in other cities or older listings, the ad has been copied.
- Check the address: does the street and house number exist, and does the building on the map match the photos?
- Compare the price: if the rent is far below similar offers in the same area, ask why.
- Call or video chat: ask for a phone call or a live video tour. Someone who keeps avoiding it usually has something to hide.
- Contract before money: read the rental contract before you pay anything. It should name the landlord, address, rent, deposit and bank account.
Already paid? What you can do now
- Call your bank immediately. Ask them to recall the transfer. The sooner you get in touch, the better your chances.
- Secure evidence. Take screenshots of the listing, chat history, emails and payment receipts before they are deleted.
- Report it to the police. You can do this at any police station. The Bavarian police’s online reporting form currently only covers a few offences such as online auction fraud – for a rental scam, it is best to go to a police station directly.
- Notify the platform. Report the listing so that it is removed and nobody else falls for it.
- Keep an eye on your ID. If you sent a copy of your ID, mention it in your police report and check your bank statements over the following weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord ask for the deposit before a viewing?
There is no obligation to pay before a viewing. The first deposit instalment is only due when the tenancy begins, and you may pay in three monthly instalments (Section 551 BGB). Money before a viewing and a contract is the most common sign of a scam.
How high can the deposit for a room in a shared flat be?
At most three months’ rent excluding separately listed utility costs. This also applies to furnished rooms and to sublets in a shared flat (WG).
Do I have to send a copy of my passport when applying?
Not before the first contact or a viewing. At a viewing, a landlord may ask to see your ID, but does not need a copy – German data protection authorities even consider a copy at that stage unlawful. If you do send a copy later, mark it clearly as a copy and black out anything that is not needed.
Do I have to pay an agent’s fee as a tenant?
Only if you hired the agent to search for you and the agent approached the landlord about this flat solely because of your request. If the agent already had the flat on offer or the landlord hired them, you pay no commission (the so-called Bestellerprinzip). An agent may not charge you processing or reservation fees at all. Fees for being allowed to view a flat or apply are a warning sign.
Will a real landlord help me with my Anmeldung?
Yes. In Germany you have to register your address within two weeks of moving in. The landlord – or, for a sublet in a shared flat, the main tenant – is required by law to confirm your move-in within that period, either in writing with a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung or electronically directly with the registration office (Section 19 of the Federal Registration Act, BMG). If you do not get it in time, tell the registration office straight away. If someone cannot or will not provide it, treat that as a warning sign.
How can I tell whether the photos in a listing are stolen?
Use a reverse image search, for example Google Lens or Bing image search. If the same photos appear in other listings, other cities or on hotel websites, the listing is very likely fake.
Looking for a room?
Furnished rooms and apartments by COLYO in Munich and Nuremberg. Nothing suitable right now? Send us a general application and we will get in touch as soon as something becomes available.