Rental Scams on Rightmove
Rightmove is the UK's largest property portal, listing over one million properties at any time. Unlike US classifieds, Rightmove primarily accepts listings from registered estate agents and letting agents, which adds a layer of verification. However, scammers still exploit the platform by impersonating agents, creating fake agency websites, and intercepting legitimate communications.
Common Scam Types on Rightmove
Fake Letting Agent Websites
Scammers create professional-looking websites that mimic real letting agencies. They list properties on Rightmove under the fake agency name, collect holding deposits and referencing fees, then shut down the website and disappear.
Email Interception Fraud
Scammers hack into or spoof a legitimate letting agent's email address and send tenants altered bank details for deposits. The tenant pays the deposit into the scammer's account believing they are paying the real agent.
Advance Fee Scams
Fraudsters require tenants to pay referencing fees, admin charges, or holding deposits before a viewing. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, most of these fees are illegal in England, which itself is a red flag.
Property Guardian Scams
Scammers advertise heavily discounted properties claiming they are part of a property guardian scheme. Victims pay an upfront fee only to discover the scheme does not exist or the property is not part of any guardian arrangement.
Safety Tips for Rightmove
- ✓Check that the letting agent is registered with a redress scheme like The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme.
- ✓Verify the agent's details on Rightmove match their official website and Companies House registration.
- ✓Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, agents in England cannot charge admin fees -- if they do, it may be a scam.
- ✓Always confirm bank details by calling the letting agent's office directly before transferring any money.
- ✓Never pay a holding deposit without viewing the property first.
- ✓Check the agent's reviews on Google and Trustpilot before engaging.
How to Report Scams on Rightmove
Report suspicious listings to Rightmove by contacting their customer service team. You should also report to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting centre, at actionfraud.police.uk.
Report a Scam →Rightmove Scam Risk Level
Low RiskRightmove is rated as low risk for rental scams due to its agent-based listing model. However, no platform is completely scam-proof. Scammers may clone Rightmove listings onto other platforms, so always verify through the official listing.
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