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International Office
Studierende laufen über den Campus. Es ist eine große rote Skulptur in Form von großen Zahnrädern zu erkennen. © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund

Fraud on the housing market

As an international student, you are faced with the challenge of finding accommodation in a new city. Unfortunately, there are always people on the housing market who try to take advantage of this situation. Here are some important tips on how to recognize scams and protect yourself.

Ein Mann der eine Bankkarte und ein Handy in den Händen hält © Mikhail Nilov​/​Pexels

How to protect yourself from housing fraud

  1. Be wary of "bargain offers"
    • Be careful if the rent is significantly below market value - scammers often lure you in with particularly low prices.
    • Example: A furnished room in a shared apartment for €200 in the center of Dortmund is unrealistically cheap and should alert you.
  2. Arrange a personal viewing
    • Insist on seeing the apartment in person before signing the contract. Photos may have been edited or stolen from other advertisements.
    • Tip: If necessary, take someone you trust with you, especially if you are new to the city.
  3. No advance payments without a contract
    • Never transfer a deposit or rent before you have signed the rental agreement and received the keys in person.
    • Reputable landlords usually only request the deposit after handover and with written proof (e.g., "rental deposit guarantee" from banks).
  4. Check the rental agreement carefully
    • Read each clause carefully, especially regarding the rent amount, ancillary costs and notice periods.
    • If anything is unclear, ask for a copy of the contract in German and English or have it reviewed by an advice center.
  5. Verify identity and ownership
    • Make sure that you can verify the identity of the landlord and search the internet for information about the landlord or rental company.
  6. Use trustworthy platforms
    • Give preference to established portals such as Immobilienscout24, Immowelt or wg-gesucht.de. Listings on pure social media sites are often less verified.
    • Look out for verified provider profiles and complete contact information.
  7. Choose secure payment methods
    • Pay the deposit and rent by bank transfer to a German bank account, never in cash in advance.
    • Avoid making payments via unsecured apps or to foreign accounts without traceable owner details.

Good to know: Most landlords in Dortmund are reputable and are happy to have reliable tenants. A healthy dose of caution will help you to avoid scams as much as possible. Good luck with your search!

 

Accommodation Counselling

Office hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.  - 3 p.m.
E-mail: accommodationtu-dortmundde
Appointments: By appointment for a personal meeting

Important note: The Accommodation Counselling is for your general orientation and does not provide legal advice. If you have specific questions about tenancy law, please contact the tenancy law advice service of the Dortmund Consumer Advice Center, the tenant advice service of the AStA of TU Dortmund University or consult a specialist lawyer.

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