Over half of rental listings on Facebook Marketplace appear to be scams, with properties lifted from sites like Booking.com and Rightmove. That means for every two flats you scroll past, at least one might not be real — and the person behind it could be after your deposit, not a tenancy. I’ve been covering the UK rental market for years, and this pattern keeps getting worse. The platforms make it easy to post, but they don’t verify who’s posting. Here’s what you actually need to know.
These numbers come from a Generation Rent investigation that analysed 300 rental adverts across UK cities between October 2023 and April 2024. The researchers compared each listing against Meta’s own scam guidance. What they found was staggering: almost three-quarters of adverts raised at least one red flag. If you’re flat-hunting right now, especially in a city, you’re wading through a minefield. A smart approach to flat-hunting starts with knowing what to look for before you even message a landlord. A video doorbell can also help you screen visitors if you’re already in a rental — the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell lets you see who’s at the door without opening it, which adds a layer of security when strangers claim to be from the letting agency.
How rental scams on Facebook Marketplace actually work
The most common version follows a predictable script. Someone poses as a landlord and posts in dedicated Facebook rental groups or on Gumtree, offering a cheap place. It might be a studio flat or a room in a shared house. When you message them, they put you in touch with the current “tenant” via a mobile number. That tenant — who is part of the scam — describes the property, sometimes even sends a video. But when you ask to view it, they’re suddenly unavailable. A parent has died. They’re abroad. They’re just too busy. Then comes the pressure: pay the deposit now or lose it. The Guardian reported how one family lost £2,000 after being shown round a property by criminals before handing over the money. The property wasn’t theirs to rent.
What I tend to notice is how polished these scams have become. The photos look professional. The messages sound genuine. The “tenant” might even video-call you from inside the flat. But the core pattern never changes: you cannot view the property in person, and you must pay immediately. That’s the moment to walk away. If you’re unsure about the terms in a contract, understanding UK rental jargon can help you spot clauses that don’t add up.
Why this matters more than ever for renters
Young people now account for three-quarters of rental fraud, according to data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. Last year alone, nearly £9 million was lost across about 5,000 reported cases. That’s the reported cases — the real number is almost certainly higher. Many victims are too embarrassed to report it, or they don’t know where to go.
The geography of the problem is uneven. Generation Rent’s city-by-city analysis shows that 66% of Facebook Marketplace listings in Birmingham were lifted from other sites. In London it was 62%, in Cardiff 60%, in Belfast 58%, in Manchester 48%, and in Edinburgh 44%. But the price gap tells an even sharper story. When researchers looked at listings priced below two-thirds of the local average rent, the numbers shifted dramatically: 86% of those cheap London listings were suspicious. In Edinburgh it was 54%, in Birmingham 40%. If you’re searching for a bargain in a high-cost city, you’re the primary target.
I’ve seen this pattern repeat across every city I’ve covered. The scammer doesn’t need to be sophisticated. They just need to list a property at a price that looks too good to pass up, and wait for the messages to roll in. One case involved a scammer using an Airbnb to show tenants around, collecting deposits, and then vanishing. The victims had walked through the flat, met someone face-to-face, and still lost their money. If you’re looking for a property, a comprehensive renter’s checklist can help you verify every step before you hand over a penny.
Where renters go wrong — and how to fix it
Most victims make the same handful of mistakes. Here’s what they are, why they happen, and what to do instead.
Trusting a profile picture and a new account
Of the advertisers on Facebook Marketplace, 36% had very new profiles, and 12% were using photos stolen from other profiles or websites — including stock images and pictures of online influencers. A profile that was created last week with a single rental listing and a photo that doesn’t match the person’s name is not a landlord. It’s a scammer. What to do: check the profile creation date. If it’s under a year old, treat the listing as high-risk. Ask for a video call where you can see the person’s face and compare it to their profile picture. If they refuse, move on.
Ignoring the price-to-area ratio
Scammers set rents significantly below market value to attract attention. In London, 86% of suspicious listings were priced below two-thirds of the average rent. In Edinburgh it was 54%. If a one-bedroom flat in Zone 2 is listed for £800 a month when the average is £1,500, that’s not a bargain — it’s bait. What to do: check the average rent for the area on Rightmove or Zoopla before you even message the advertiser. If the listing is more than 30% below that average, assume it’s a scam until proven otherwise.
Paying a deposit without a viewing or a contract
This is the most common mistake, and it’s also the most avoidable. Scammers pressure you to act fast. They’ll say another tenant is interested, or the property won’t last the week. They ask for a deposit via bank transfer or PayPal Friends and Family — methods that offer no protection. What to do: never pay a deposit without viewing the property in person. Never pay without a signed tenancy agreement. Gumtree advises: “Always ask to see proof of ownership, or the landlord’s right to let, and ensure a tenancy agreement is in place before paying deposits or holding fees.” If the landlord claims to be part of the NRLA, you can check their accreditation on the NRLA website.
Not verifying the landlord’s identity
Scammers often pose as landlords but can’t prove it. They might send a photo of a passport or a utility bill, but those documents could be stolen or forged. What to do: ask for proof of ownership — a Land Registry title deed or a recent mortgage statement. If the property is managed by an agency, call the agency directly using a number you find on their official website, not the one in the advert. A guide to common lease agreement mistakes can also help you spot clauses that don’t hold up legally.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| City | Listings lifted from other sites | Listings below ⅔ of average rent |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 66% | 40% |
| London | 62% | 86% |
| Cardiff | 60% | 4% |
| Belfast | 58% | 2% |
| Manchester | 48% | 12% |
| Edinburgh | 44% | 54% |
What I’d do differently if I were searching today: I’d run every listing through a reverse-image search before even reading the description. If the photos appear on Booking.com or a hotel site, the advert is fake. Full stop. No need to investigate further.
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How to protect yourself when renting through Facebook Marketplace
Here are the practical steps I’d take, in order, to avoid losing money to a rental scam.
Run a reverse-image search on every photo
This is the single most effective check you can do. Right-click the photo in the listing, copy the image URL, and paste it into Google Images or TinEye. If the same photo appears on Booking.com, Rightmove, Zoopla, or a hotel website, the listing is stolen. Generation Rent found that 56% of Facebook Marketplace listings used photos lifted from other sites. That means more than half of what you’re looking at isn’t real. Do this before you message the advertiser. It takes 30 seconds and can save you thousands.
Verify the landlord’s identity and property ownership
Ask for the landlord’s full name and check it against the Land Registry. You can do this online for a small fee. If the landlord claims to be part of a professional body like the NRLA, use the NRLA’s accreditation checker to confirm. Ask for proof of address — a recent council tax bill or utility bill in their name at the property address. If they hesitate or make excuses, that’s a red flag. A legitimate landlord will have no problem providing this information.
Never pay anything before a physical viewing
This rule is non-negotiable. Scammers will pressure you with urgency — “another tenant is viewing tomorrow” or “I need the deposit to hold the property.” Ignore it. A real landlord or letting agent will let you see the property first. If they’re “abroad” or “too busy,” the listing is almost certainly fake. When you do view the property, go during daylight hours and bring someone with you. If the person showing you around seems nervous or can’t answer basic questions about the tenancy, walk away.
Use a secure payment method and get a receipt
If you do reach the point of paying a deposit, never use bank transfer, PayPal Friends and Family, or cash. These methods offer no protection if the money disappears. Use a credit card if possible — Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act gives you protection on purchases over £100. Otherwise, use a debit card or a service like PayPal Goods and Services, which offers buyer protection. Always get a receipt and a signed tenancy agreement before you transfer any money. If the landlord refuses to provide either, the deal is off.
If you’re unsure about your legal position after a dispute, speaking to a tenant and landlord lawyer can clarify your rights before you take any further steps.
Check for emerging scam patterns
Scammers are getting more sophisticated. Some now use Airbnb to gain temporary access to a property, show it to multiple prospective tenants, collect deposits, and disappear before the real host notices. Others create fake letting agency websites that look identical to real ones. A new pattern involves scammers hacking legitimate landlord accounts on Facebook and posting fake listings from those profiles. If a listing comes from a profile that has years of history but suddenly only has rental posts, message the person through a different channel to confirm their account hasn’t been compromised.
Can I get my money back if I’ve been scammed? ▾
What if the landlord shows me a property but it’s an Airbnb? ▾
Are letting agents on Facebook Marketplace safer than private landlords? ▾
How do I check if a landlord is registered with the NRLA? ▾
What should I do if I suspect a listing is a scam? ▾
Is Gumtree safer than Facebook Marketplace for rentals? ▾
The single most important thing you can do is slow down. Scammers rely on urgency. They want you to act before you think. Every time I’ve heard from someone who lost money, the story includes the phrase “I should have checked first.” Run the reverse-image search. Verify the landlord. View the property. Get the contract. If any of those steps is skipped, you’re gambling with your deposit. If this was useful, you might also want to read the hidden costs of renting in the UK.
Sources and Further Reading
The ultimate UK apartment moving checklist — A step-by-step guide to a stress-free move once you’ve secured a legitimate rental.
Most Facebook Marketplace rental listings appear to be scams. Generation Rent, 2024.
Rental fraud: young people now account for three-quarters of cases. The Guardian, 2025.
