While we do our best to ensure there aren't scams on Apartment List, occasionally one or two will slip through. To allow users to more easily identify when their dream apartment might be too good to be true, we've put together this helpful guide.

Never put money down before seeing the apartment. A real landlord will not require a deposit to show you the unit.

Exercise caution when the...

• apartment is cheaper than similar apartments in the neighborhood.
• landlord is traveling or living abroad.
• landlord asks for a deposit before showing you the apartment.
• landlord's emails contain mixed capitalization, poor grammar and/or are verbose.
• landlord uses an easily discarded/exchanged phone number (Google Voice, Skype, Burner, etc. — you'll know if you call).
• landlord is persistent via email, claiming you have to act now because of demand.

If you come across a listing that you think might be a scam, please flag the listing on our website, and send us an email. We endeavor to keep Apartment List scam-free - and we count on users like you to let us know how we're doing.

For more on this topic, check out our blog.

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