How does Right Room protect tenants from rental fraud?
If you’re hunting for a professional flatshare in London, the last thing you want is to fall victim to rental fraud. Right Room protects tenants by combining careful verification, secure payments, clear contracts and ongoing tenant support. We check properties and landlords before they appear on the site, verify identities and ownership, require properly protected deposits, and use secure payment channels.
We also make it straightforward to arrange vetted virtual or in-person viewings, produce move-in inventories, and offer clear guidance if something looks suspicious. Put simply, Right Room reduces the usual points of failure that scammers exploit and gives tenants practical steps and support if problems arise.
What is rental fraud and why it matters?
Rental fraud covers anything from fake listings and impersonated landlords to bait-and-switch scams and demands for upfront cash payments. Scammers copy photos, invent properties, or advertise real properties they do not legally control. They create a sense of urgency and ask for deposits by untraceable methods, then vanish.
The consequences are practical and emotional. Victims lose money, miss housing opportunities, and spend time chasing refunds and reporting crimes. For professionals who need a safe, reliable place quickly, avoiding these scams is essential.
How Right Room prevents rental fraud: the practical measures
The Right Room builds protection into every stage of the rental journey. Here are the main safeguards and how they work.
1. Verified listings and landlord checks
Before a property goes live, Right Room carries out checks to confirm the landlord or agent’s identity and legal authority to rent the property. This reduces fake listings and ensures the person advertising the room is authorised to do so.
2. Identity and background verification
Right Room requires ID checks for landlords and, where appropriate, tenants. Verifying identity reduces the risk of impersonation and helps create an audit trail if something goes wrong.
3. Clear, accurate listings and photos
Listings on Right Room include full property details, floor plans where possible, clear photos and accurate address information. That transparency makes it easier to spot inconsistencies and reduces confusion that scammers exploit.
4. Secure payment channels and transparent fees
Right Room directs tenants to use traceable payment methods. We never advise tenants to pay cash to unverified accounts or hand over large sums in person. Any holding deposits or rent payments are processed through secure, documented channels so you have a record.
5. Deposit protection and tenancy paperwork
All deposits are handled in line with the law and placed in government-approved tenancy deposit protection schemes. Tenancy agreements are provided in writing so responsibilities and procedures for disputes are clear from day one.
6. Virtual and in-person viewing protocols
Right Room supports verified virtual viewings and in-person inspections arranged through the platform. Virtual tours are recorded or streamed securely, and in-person viewings are scheduled so tenants meet a verified contact rather than unknown third parties.
7. Move-in inventories and photographic records
We make it standard practice to produce an inventory and photographic record at move-in. That reduces later disputes about condition and helps tenants recover deposits without unnecessary disagreements.
8. Ongoing tenant support and clear escalation paths
If a tenant suspects fraud or encounters suspicious behaviour, Right Room provides a clear reporting route and guidance. We advise on documenting evidence, pausing payments, contacting bank fraud teams and when to involve police or official reporting bodies.
Practical tips tenants should use, whether they’re on Right Room or elsewhere
Even with platform protections, tenants should stay alert. These practical steps greatly reduce your risk.
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Verify the listing address. Look up the property on official registers and compare details with the listing.
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Reverse image search photos. If the same image appears on multiple unrelated sites, be cautious.
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Meet the landlord or agent in person or have a verified video viewing. If the “landlord” says they are abroad and pressures you to pay, that is a red flag.
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Never pay in cash to a private number. Use a bank transfer to the named landlord or a secure platform payment. Keep all receipts.
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Ask for proof of ownership or management. A landlord should be able to show an official ID and documentation or an agent’s company registration.
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Check deposit protection. Ask which tenancy deposit scheme holds the deposit and request the confirmation number.
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Read the tenancy agreement fully. Make sure the agreement names all parties correctly, states the deposit details, and lists the flat’s address.
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Protect sensitive documents. Use secure upload portals for passports and share only what’s necessary. If you must email identification, redact non-essential numbers where possible.
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Be wary of “too good to be true” deals. Extremely low rent or pressure to move quickly often indicate a scam.
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Keep communication on the platform. It’s easier to prove terms and record exchanges if you communicate through verified channels.
Common tenant challenges and how Right Room helps solve them
Tenants face several recurring challenges when renting, and each can create vulnerability to fraud. Here’s how Right Room addresses them.
Challenge: Moving from abroad or racing against time
International movers and busy professionals often rely on remote viewings and quick decisions. Scammers exploit urgency.
Right Room provides verified video tours, recorded virtual viewings and a secure booking system so you can make confident decisions without handing money to an unverified contact.
Challenge: Competing in a fast market
When demand is high, tenants sometimes skip checks to secure a room.
Right Room enables fast yet safe processing: verified listings, pre-screening, and transparent payment workflows reduce the temptation to skip due diligence.
Challenge: Lack of experience with UK tenancy law
Newcomers may not know about deposit protection or the Right to Rent checks.
Right Room guides tenants through the legal steps, explains deposit schemes and provides templates and checklists so you know what to expect.
Challenge: Dealing with private landlords and unregulated listings
Private adverts are more likely to hide risks.
Right Room prioritises professionally managed properties and vetted private landlords, and flags properties that don’t meet verification criteria.
Scenarios: how fraud attempts look and how Right Room counters them
Scenario 1: The “copycat” listing
A scammer copies photos of a genuine London flat and advertises a lower rent. An interested tenant sends a deposit and the scammer disappears.
Right Room counter: Listings are verified and cross-checked before publication. Any listing that fails verification is blocked and investigated.
Scenario 2: The fake landlord
A person posing as a landlord asks for a holding deposit over WhatsApp claiming they are abroad.
Right Room counter: We require secure payment within the platform and verify the payee details. Tenants are advised not to transfer money outside verified channels.
Scenario 3: The altered contract
A tenant signs an agreement but finds the named landlord does not match the payee on payments.
Right Room counter: Tenancy paperwork is checked for consistency and deposits are placed in approved schemes, making it harder for fraudsters to alter contract elements.
What to do if you suspect rental fraud
If something looks wrong, act quickly and methodically.
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Stop any payments and save all evidence. Screenshots, emails and bank transaction records matter.
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Report it to the platform immediately. Right Room will freeze listings and investigate.
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Contact your bank if you made a payment and ask to trace or reverse it.
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Report to Action Fraud and local police if you suspect criminal activity.
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Use tenancy protections. If a deposit is already paid, your tenancy deposit scheme may assist with disputes.
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Get support. Right Room offers guidance and can advise on next steps, including formal complaints to agents or landlord services.
Related questions tenants often ask
Can I check who owns the property?
Yes. You can search the Land Registry or ask the landlord or agent for proof of ownership or management.
Are virtual viewings safe?
They are safe when provided by a verified platform and recorded or accompanied by ID verification. Right Room’s virtual tours are arranged to maintain transparency.
What if the landlord asks for copies of my passport or bank details?
It is normal to provide ID for Right to Rent checks, but share documents through secure portals. Ask the landlord or agent why they need each document and how it will be stored.
Final thoughts and your next step
Rental fraud is common enough that every tenant should approach property hunting with care, yet avoidable when you know what to look for. Right Room protects tenants through a combination of verification, secure payments, clear tenancy processes and ongoing support. Tenants can further protect themselves by checking listings thoroughly, insisting on secure payment methods, and using platform tools that keep communications and transactions transparent.
If you want a safer route to a professional London flatshare, start with a platform that makes verification standard practice. Browse Right Room’s vetted listings, use the secure booking tools, and get in touch with our team if you have doubts about a listing. We support tenants at every stage so you can focus on moving in and settling down with confidence.
