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Avoid student housing scams

Housing scams target Erasmus students every year. No platform removes 100% of the risk; we give you the reflexes to spot a scam before you message anyone, and you always sign directly with the owner.

Your part: 4 rules that keep you safe

The smartest protection is you.

1
Never pay before a visit
In person or by video. No deposit, no rent, no "reservation fee" before you have seen the room with your own eyes.
2
Always check the contract
Read the lease in full. A real landlord will happily share it and answer questions before you sign.
3
Keep it on Studroof
Chat here until you have met. Anyone rushing you onto WhatsApp or asking for a wire transfer is a red flag.
4
Report anything off
A price too low, pressure to pay fast, a landlord who refuses a visit: tell us and we will review the listing.

How to spot a scam yourself

Flagged listings are reviewed and removed by a human; here are the signs to watch for yourself.

01

Reverse-search the photos yourself

Drag a listing photo into Google Images. If the same shots turn up elsewhere, walk away.

02

Read the description critically

Copy-pasted, vague or all-too-perfect descriptions are a classic scam pattern. Ask specific questions a real owner can answer.

Talk to a human, in your language
Spotted something off? Report it. A Studroof human reviews every report and removes scam listings fast.

What Studroof does

Helps you spot the red flags
Connects you directly with the landlord
Removes reported listings found to be fraudulent
Guides your French admin in your language

What Studroof never does

Take your deposit or your rent
Hold your money in escrow
Sign the lease for you
Charge a booking fee
Studroof is a connection platform: the lease is signed directly between you and the landlord.

Frequently asked questions

How do I avoid a student housing scam in Bordeaux and Göttingen?

Never pay before viewing the place (in person or by video), check the lease, keep your conversations on Studroof and report any listing that feels suspicious.

How do I spot a fake landlord?

Be wary of an unusually low price, pressure to pay fast, a refusal to allow a viewing or a copy-pasted description. Run a reverse image search on the photos.

Does Studroof check listings and landlords?

No. Studroof does not verify landlords' identity, or the content of listings, and gives no per-listing check label. If a listing is reported, a human reviews it and removes it if it's fraudulent. Otherwise, we show you the signals to watch for yourself.

What if I've already paid a scammer?

Stop any payment, gather your evidence (messages, listing, transfer) and report the scam to Studroof and to the authorities (in France, you can report online via service-public.fr).

Can Studroof guarantee a listing is safe?

No. No platform can guarantee zero risk. Studroof gives you the right reflexes and a human review of reports; the final decision stays yours.

Browse student housing in Bordeaux and Göttingen

Spotted something suspicious?

Send us the listing: we review every report, fast.

Report a listingVisit the help center

Go further with our guides

All Erasmus guides

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