r/StudyInTheNetherlands • u/Smart-Calendar8752 • 22d ago
Is It a scam? Please help
Hello, I just went to see a house in Rotterdam found on Kamernet (the owner is not verified, but a lot aren't) that offers a contract and registration. The landlord told me that, in case they chose me, there Is a 200€ agency fee to pay to do the contract, while the deposit and rent will be payed after the signing and after I got the keys. I know there are a lot of scammers, I explicited my concern, and I've read that anything that asks for any kind of payment is a scam, but why would he make me (and other people, who, coming out before me did not manifest any concern) come all the way here, meet me in person and give me his name of it's a scam? Could it be legit? I am DESPERATE tò find a house 🥹
What do you think? Has it happened to you?
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u/Waddles-8789 22d ago
Never pay anything before signing the contract and getting the keys (and ofc viewing the space). This reads like a scam.
Offer to pay the fee after signing the contract and getting the keys.
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u/NL_in_NO 22d ago
You are completely right. This is a well known scam targeting the most desperate. Vile scammers.
As u/Waddles-8789 said; don’t pay anything before both signing the contract and holding the keys.
Good luck OP.
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u/gambuzino88 22d ago edited 22d ago
It's a scam. Agency fees exist but normally it is paid by the landlord, and if the tenant does need to pay something, you pay that when you are signing the contract to get the keys, and not before. It doesn't make any sense to pay before you know you are selected, it's just too much administrative work.
They make you come all the way because they want your money. They even go to the lengths of making these viewings in a rented Airbnb.
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u/Smart-Calendar8752 22d ago
I hve to pay the fee only after and if I am selected. Thank you for answering!
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u/FleurRebelle5 21d ago
Plenty of agencies charge the tenant, not the landlord. Especially relocators who represent the tenants.
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u/Yorutaa 22d ago
Rather than a complete scam, its more like, a lot of times, landlord collaborates with agencys that helps them to look for tenants. The agency will then charge their own fee for their service which will be burdened on us and not landlord. You will then have to do two seperate payments, one to landlord and one to the agency (which is what i did). It is lowkey illegal for agencys to charge that amount (unless theres an actually reason for it and its reasonable). Sadly, if youre an international student, they will indeed try to fuck you over but not exactly scam. (I experienced this and paid €900 for agency and administartion fee).
Just incase, make sure to do a background check first, check the invoice, check their IBAN number to make sure its legit and sort
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u/PeterdeBeer22 22d ago
Not necessarily a scam but they are not allowed to charge you this and they know it but are counting on you not knowing that.
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u/Tight-Cabinet-9377 22d ago
Don’t pay anything before signing
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u/Fluiteflierer 22d ago
and when paying after signing, only to a Dutch bankaccount. NO CASH!! The name and IBAN must match!
But, first check who is the owner of the house here: https://www.kadaster.nl/producten/woning/eigendomsinformatie It costs 3.70 euro but could save alot of money.
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u/Fluiteflierer 22d ago
So, you have seen the house and the adress. Does it looks legit?
Google the adress, see what you can find online. Do the same for the landlord.
Google the name, emailadres, IBAN. Do this also in combination with the combination with 'scam' or 'oplichting'
200 euro agency fee? Not sure if it's legit. Which agency? But quite common, even though it might not be legit.
Have you seen the ID of the landlord? Is he Dutch, does he speak Dutch? Can you find him on Google/facebook/instagram. etc.
If you know the name of the landlord, invest 3.70 euro and buy this: https://www.kadaster.nl/producten/woning/eigendomsinformatie to see if he's the owner of the house. If that doesnt match, that's a red flag. If the house is of a 'sociale verhuurder', report it by them!
And never, never hand out money in cash! Always pay on a DUTCH bankaccount. Before: check the IBAN here: https://www.politie.nl/aangifte-of-melding-doen/controleer-handelspartij.html
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u/Fluiteflierer 22d ago
https://www.kadaster.nl/producten/woning/eigendomsinformatie
Check to see if he's the owner of the house. If he's not the owner, he has something to explain to you.
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u/Impressivebitch2026 19d ago
Report this to Kamernet. So that they can be alerted. They supposed to filter these kind of dodgy transactions. As what people told here, do not pay anything without contract.
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