Renting a home
How to check a rental listing before you pay
A practical check of the address, owner, terms and payment method based on FTC guidance.
Photo: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0 · cropped and compressed
Facts checked against primary sources: September 9, 2026.
Check the address and the listing
Search for the address separately from the listing. Compare the price, photos, contact name and description across more than one site. The FTC warns that scammers copy real listings, replace the contact details and advertise homes they do not control.
Confirm who is offering the home
Ask to see the property in person or by live video. Get the full name of the owner or property manager and verify the contact through an independent source. If the county provides an official property record, compare the owner name while remembering that public records may not update immediately.
Get every term in writing
Ask for a draft lease before paying. It should identify the address, lease term, monthly rent, deposit, utilities, refund rules and the parties to the agreement. Rental and deposit rules vary by state and city, so confirm local requirements on an official government site.
Do not treat pressure as normal
Pressure to pay before a viewing, refusal to provide a lease, or a demand for a wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency are serious warning signs. The FTC specifically advises against using those payment methods for a rental.
Keep a record
Save the link, messages, lease and payment confirmation. If the listing is fraudulent, report it to the platform and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If money was sent, contact the payment service or bank immediately and ask whether the transfer can be stopped.