A few simple habits help you rent an apartment without scammers in Poland: check the land registry, verify the owner, avoid transfers before viewing, and be wary of payment links. The most common scheme is a request for a deposit or security deposit before a meeting, after which contact breaks off. This guide shows the warning signs and safe steps.
Apartment listings in Poland are posted by owners, real estate agencies, and subletters. Each group operates differently, and scammers impersonate all of them. That's why checking a single listing isn't enough. You need to compare several offers in the same neighborhood, view the apartment in person, and establish who has the right to sign the contract. This text walks you step by step from first contact to the moment you hand money to anyone. You'll find scam patterns, a list of warning signs, a safe meeting template, and a list of institutions to report the matter to in Poland.
- Never pay a deposit or security deposit before viewing the apartment in person.
- Check the land registry to see who the owner is, and compare the details with the contract.
- Reject payment links and BLIK requests outside the established channel.
- Report fraud to the police, your bank, and UOKiK, keeping all correspondence.
What scams appear in apartment rental listings?
Rental scams in Poland repeat in several variants. The contact channel changes, but the goal is the same: get you to transfer money before you see the place or sign a contract. Below are the most common patterns along with the warning sign and a safe alternative.
| Scam pattern | Warning sign | Safe alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Advance payment before viewing | Owner is "abroad", sends only photos, asks for a deposit to a bank account | View the apartment in person or through a trusted person, pay only after signing the contract |
| Fake payment link | Message with a link to "reservation" or "payment system" outside the listing | Pay only by transfer to the account stated in the contract, after verifying the owner |
| Fake agent | No license number, no agency name, pressure for a quick decision | Check the agency in the register and ask to see the agency agreement |
| Fake owner | Person has no documents for the property, avoids meeting at the apartment | Ask for the land registry number and check it in the court system |
| Phishing in a messenger | Request for a BLIK code, card details, or bank login "to confirm" | Never share codes; confirm identity through another channel |
The advance payment scam is the easiest to spot because it always breaks one rule: money goes first, and the apartment comes later. In Poland, a popular variant is an offer significantly cheaper than similar properties in the same neighborhood, for example in Praga-Południe or Podgórze in Kraków. A price that deviates from the market isn't proof of fraud, but it's a signal to check everything twice.
If someone pressures you for a quick decision and says "someone else will pay a deposit tomorrow," treat it as a warning sign. Time pressure is a tool, not an argument. A real owner will usually wait for your visit.
How to recognize a scammer from the listing content and conversation?
Warning signs fall into those visible in the listing and those that appear only in conversation. You can check the first in a few minutes; the second require careful reading of messages. The more signals at once, the higher the likelihood that you're dealing with an attempted fraud.
Red flags in the listing
- Photos look like they're from a catalog or repeat in other offers in different cities.
- The description is vague, without square footage, floor, approximate address, or land registry number.
- The price is clearly lower than similar apartments in the same area and with a similar standard.
- Contact only via messenger, with no phone number or possibility of meeting.
- The listing is fresh, but the seller responds with identical text to different questions.
Red flags in conversation
- The person avoids meeting at the apartment or reschedules several times.
- They ask for card details, a BLIK code, or bank login "to confirm the reservation."
- They send a payment link that didn't appear in the listing.
- They can't provide the land registry number or show an ID document.
- They say the apartment belongs to a relative but can't explain who will sign the contract.
It's worth asking directly for the land registry number and checking it in the public court system. If the owner's details in the register differ from those of the person you're talking to, ask for a power of attorney. This is a normal request, not a lack of trust. An honest owner or agent will answer it without resistance.
What to do before signing a contract and handing over money?
Rental safety is based on the order of actions, not a single check. The list below leads from first contact to the moment you're allowed to hand over any money. Each point is a standalone step you can take independently of the others.
- View the apartment in person, in daylight, and check whether the condition matches the photos.
- Ask who the owner is and request the property's land registry number.
- Check the number in the public land registry system and compare the details with the contract.
- Ask to see the ID document of the person signing the contract.
- If an agent is involved, establish whether they have a contract with the owner and whether they charge a fee.
- Read the rental contract before signing, especially the clauses on the security deposit and termination.
- Agree on how and when you'll pay rent and the security deposit, and write it into the contract.
- Take photos of the meters, the handover protocol, and the apartment's condition on the day you receive the keys.
- Hand over money only after signing the contract, by transfer to the account stated in the document.
When choosing a listing, it helps to compare several offers in the same neighborhood and check how long a given seller has been posting on the platform. On EX & GO, the history of listings and messages is visible in the profile, and the publishing rules are described on the page /pl/rules. Listing moderation checks compliance with the terms, but it doesn't confirm the owner's identity or the property's legal status. You verify those elements yourself.
Are messages and payments on the site safe?
Communication on the site and payments are two different matters, and it's worth separating them. The site chat helps keep a record of agreements because messages stay in one place. Payments are usually arranged directly between you, and the site isn't responsible for their course unless a given offer is covered by separate terms.
On EX & GO, you can message the seller through the site, report a listing that looks suspicious, and check the profile of the person posting. Phone verification requirements depend on the configuration and available channels, so don't assume every seller has a confirmed number. Technical support and feature descriptions are available on the page /pl/support. If the platform offers a secure transaction option on selected listings, it operates under its own terms, which you must read before using it.
It's also worth comparing prices in several places before you consider an offer attractive. apartments for rent shows how to distinguish a bargain from a trap. Another useful lead is apartments for rent in Warsaw, where the rules for reporting incorrect listings are described.
What to do after rental fraud?
Act quickly and in order, because every hour increases the chance of recovering your money. First secure the evidence, then notify the bank, and finally file a report. The order matters because the bank needs specifics to block the transfer or the recipient's account.
Report the matter to the police, preferably at the unit responsible for your place of residence or the place of the incident. Bring a printout of the listing, all correspondence, transfer confirmations, and the recipient's details. If you paid by card, ask the bank about the chargeback procedure. If it was a regular transfer, ask about the possibility of stopping or reversing the transaction.
You can file a complaint about unfair market practices with the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. Information on how to do this is available on the website Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. General information about consumer rights and letter templates is also published by gov.pl. Keep a copy of the report and the case number, as they'll be useful for further correspondence.
What questions do apartment seekers ask most often?
Is it normal to pay a deposit before viewing an apartment?
No. An honest landlord shows the property before asking for any money. A deposit or security deposit only makes sense after viewing and signing the contract, when both parties know the terms. If someone demands a transfer based on photos alone and claims to live abroad, that's a classic red flag. In that case, ask for a meeting or for help from a trusted person on site. If the person refuses, end contact and report the listing.
How can I check if the person renting out the apartment is the owner?
Ask for the property's land registry number and check it in the public court system. Compare the owner's details with those of the person signing the contract. If they're not the same, ask for a power of attorney or a contract that gives the right to sublet. An agent should show a contract with the owner. The check takes a few minutes and doesn't require the other person's consent, because land registers are public. This is the simplest way to weed out a fake owner.
What should I do if I suspect fraud in a listing?
Don't pay and don't share your data. Report the listing on the site where you found it so moderators can check it. Keep screenshots and message content, as they may be useful later. If you've already sent money, notify your bank and file a report with the police. You can also file a complaint about unfair practices with UOKiK. The faster you act, the better the chance of stopping the transfer.
Your next step
Before you respond to the next listing, prepare a short list of questions about the land registry, the owner, and the security deposit. View the apartment in person, check the documents, and pay only after signing the contract. If something doesn't add up, walk away without explaining yourself. One rejected offer costs less than one lost deposit.