Perth, Western Australia — As rental demand soars and vacancies dwindle, a new scam is targeting vulnerable renters desperate to secure affordable housing. According to recent analysis fraudsters posing as private landlords have set their sights on the city’s competitive housing market, tricking would-be tenants into losing money and facing disappointment.
How the Scam Works
Scammers begin by taking real photos of legitimate properties and posting them on popular online marketplaces — particularly Facebook Marketplace — advertising rents significantly below the current market rate. With rental prices in Perth averaging around AUD $700 per week for houses and $670 for units, this bait is enough to draw in hopeful renters under financial pressure.
Once contact is made, the fraudsters craft personalised messages designed to build trust and urgency. One common tactic is to claim the property will be “reserved exclusively for you” if a security deposit or “commitment fee” is paid upfront. Scammers promise this fee is refundable or will be applied to the first week’s rent — but once the money is transferred via bank transfer, the scammers disappear without a trace.
Authorities’ Warnings and Victim Impact
Western Australia’s Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Trish Blake, has described the local rental climate as a “perfect playground for scammers,” noting how fraudsters manipulate renters’ urgency and good intentions to coerce payments. Many of these listings include convincing details — including real property addresses and forged lease documents — to give a false sense of legitimacy.
In 2025 alone, the state’s WA ScamNet system recorded at least 20 rental scam cases, resulting in total losses of nearly AUD 51,875 — an increase of about 27 % compared to the previous year. Victims often report being unable to inspect the property in person, as scammers invent excuses to avoid meetings or viewings.
Real estate professionals also emphasise the emotional toll these schemes take. Rob Mandanici, a member of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, notes that renters’ desperation — especially when trying to support a family — makes them more susceptible to unscrupulous people pretending to help.
Why Perth is Especially Vulnerable
Several factors have made Perth’s rental market particularly attractive to scammers:
- Very low vacancy rates, meaning properties are quickly snapped up — sometimes within 16 days of listing.
- High rental prices, pushing many renters to pursue deals that seem unusually affordable.
- A reliance on online platforms where fake listings can proliferate with minimal oversight.
Government officials have urged tenants to be especially cautious when dealing with supposed private landlords or listings that seem too good to be true.
Tips to Protect Yourself
To avoid becoming a victim of a housing scam, renters are advised to follow these precautions:
- Be wary of rents significantly below market rate. Deep discounts are a common red flag.
- Don’t rely solely on photos. Use reverse-image search tools to check whether listings have been copied from other sites.
- Verify the property on reputable real-estate platforms and cross-check with previous listing agents.
- Avoid landlords or listings that use the same email address across multiple properties.
- Always inspect the property in person before signing a lease or transferring money.
- Insist on a formal lease agreement (Form 1AA) and receipt of keys before payment.
- Be cautious with direct bank transfers — only send money to verified landlords or licensed agents.
If you suspect a listing is fraudulent, victims and witnesses are encouraged to report scams through WA ScamNet or seek further guidance from the WA Consumer Protection website.
The Broader Context
While this housing scam is targeting renters in Perth, it reflects a larger trend in property and rental fraud seen across Australia and beyond, where scammers exploit online platforms to appear legitimate — and make quick returns before victims realise what has happened.
Growing awareness, education, and cautious due diligence remain the most effective defenses to stay safe in increasingly competitive housing markets.
