In Ottawa’s competitive rental market, scammers thrive. Desperate apartment hunters, high demand, and online listings create perfect conditions for rental fraud. Every year, Ottawans lose thousands of dollars to fake listings and phantom landlords.
Learning to identify rental scams before you become a victim is essential for anyone searching for housing in the capital.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Rental scams involve fake listings, stolen photos, and requests for deposits before viewing. Red flags: price too good to be true, landlord overseas, pressure to pay immediately, unable to view in person. NEVER send money before viewing a property and verifying the landlord.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Peak Season | September (student return) |
| 📍 Common Platforms | Kijiji, Facebook, Craigslist |
| 🎟️ Typical Loss | $1,000-$5,000+ |
| ⏰ Report To | Police, Competition Bureau |
Common Rental Scams
The Phantom Listing
The most common rental scam:
How It Works:
- Scammer posts attractive listing (often stolen from real listing)
- Price is below market rate to attract interest
- Multiple people shown the same “property”
- Deposits collected from several victims
- Landlord disappears
Warning Signs:
- Price significantly below market
- Landlord unavailable for in-person meeting
- Property can’t be viewed inside
- Pressure to decide immediately
The Overseas Landlord
A classic fraud pattern:
The Story:
- “I’m working/volunteering overseas”
- “I can’t show the property in person”
- “Send deposit and I’ll mail you the keys”
- “My agent will meet you after payment”
Reality:
- No real landlord exists
- Keys never arrive
- Property may not exist or belong to someone else
- Money is gone
The Hijacked Listing
Increasingly sophisticated:
How It Works:
- Scammer copies legitimate listing
- Changes contact information
- Posts on different platform
- Collects deposits before real landlord knows
Result:
- Victim thinks they’ve rented real property
- Shows up to find another tenant
- Real landlord never received payment
Illustrative image only.
Red Flags to Watch
Price Is Too Good
Be suspicious when:
Below-Market Pricing:
- Significantly cheaper than comparable units
- In desirable neighbourhood at unrealistic price
- Utilities included at low rate
- Too many features for the price
Ottawa Market Reality:
- Research typical rents for area
- If it seems too good to be true, investigate
- Scammers use low prices to attract victims
Communication Issues
Watch for:
Warning Patterns:
- Won’t meet in person
- Only communicates via email/text
- Claims to be out of town or overseas
- Avoids video calls
- Poor grammar (sometimes international scams)
- Email address doesn’t match name
Viewing Problems
Be concerned if:
Excuses for No Viewing:
- Property “not available” to show
- “Drive by and look from outside”
- “Previous tenant still there”
- Willing to rent without you seeing inside
Pressure Tactics:
- “Many people interested”
- “Decide today or lose it”
- “Send deposit to hold it”
Payment Red Flags
Never proceed if:
- Cash only requested
- Wire transfer required
- Payment before viewing demanded
- No lease offered
- Money goes to personal account, not property company
- Gift cards or cryptocurrency requested
How to Protect Yourself
Before Viewing
Do your research:
Verify the Listing:
- Reverse image search the photos
- Look for same photos on other listings
- Check if address exists (Google Maps/Street View)
- Research typical rents in area
Research the Landlord:
- Google their name and contact info
- Verify company exists if claiming to be one
- Check business registration if applicable
- Ask for references
During Viewing
At the property:
What to Verify:
- Landlord has keys and access
- Mail matches landlord’s name
- Property matches listing photos
- Other tenants confirm landlord identity
- Look for signs of legitimacy
Questions to Ask:
- How long have you owned the property?
- Who’s the current tenant?
- Can I see proof of ownership?
- What’s included in rent?
Before Paying
Protect yourself:
Documentation:
- Get everything in writing
- Review lease thoroughly
- Photo ID from landlord
- Keep copies of all payments
- Use traceable payment methods
Payment Safety:
- Never pay before viewing
- Never wire money to strangers
- Get receipts for all payments
- Avoid cash when possible
Illustrative image only.
Legal Protections in Ontario
Know Your Rights
Ontario rental laws protect tenants:
Deposit Limits:
- Maximum deposit: one month’s rent
- Cannot require last month’s rent AND security deposit
- Deposits must be for rent, not “damage”
Lease Requirements:
- Standard lease required in most cases
- Available from Ontario government
- Protects both parties
Illegal Requests:
- Post-dated cheques cannot be required
- Rent increases have legal limits
- Many fees are prohibited
Resources
Landlord and Tenant Board:
- tribunalsontario.ca/ltb
- Information on rights
- Dispute resolution
Ontario Tenant Rights:
- Know what landlords can legally request
- Understand deposit rules
- Learn eviction protections
If You’ve Been Scammed
Immediate Steps
Take action:
- Stop all communication with scammer
- Contact your bank about stopping payment
- Report to Ottawa Police: 613-236-1222
- File report with Competition Bureau: 1-800-348-5358
- Report to platform where listing appeared
- Document everything—emails, texts, payments
Recovery Chances
Understand the reality:
- Wire transfers rarely recovered
- Cash payments usually gone
- Some credit card protections exist
- E-transfer recovery sometimes possible if quick
- Focus on prevention for next time
Safe Rental Practices
Checklist
Before signing:
- Viewed property in person
- Met landlord or verified representative
- Verified ownership or authority to rent
- Received and reviewed written lease
- Payment by traceable method
- Kept copies of all documents
- Price is realistic for market
- No red flags in communication
Trusted Resources
Consider safer options:
- University housing services (for students)
- Established property management companies
- Referrals from friends/family
- Licensed real estate agents
- Reputable rental websites with verification
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it safe to rent on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace? A: Legitimate listings exist on these platforms, but they’re also where scammers operate. Extra caution and verification are essential. Never skip in-person viewing.
Q: How can I verify someone owns a property? A: Ontario’s Land Registry allows property ownership searches. You can also ask the landlord to show property tax statements or mortgage documents.
Q: What’s a normal deposit in Ontario? A: Landlords can request first and last month’s rent. They cannot legally request additional “security deposits” or “damage deposits” for residential tenancies.
Q: The price is low because it’s a sublet—is that okay? A: Sublets can be legitimate but require extra verification. Confirm the original tenant has landlord permission to sublet and verify with the building management.
Q: Should I pay a holding deposit before viewing? A: No. Any request for money before you’ve seen the property in person is a major red flag. Legitimate landlords show the property first.
Final Thoughts
Rental scams prey on people in vulnerable positions—students arriving for school, families needing housing, newcomers unfamiliar with the market. The competitive Ottawa rental environment makes people more willing to overlook warning signs.
Protect yourself by never sending money before viewing a property and meeting the landlord. Research prices so you recognize unrealistic deals. Verify ownership and identity. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, walk away.
The right apartment is worth waiting for. A scammed deposit is gone forever.
Source: Ottawa Police Service, Competition Bureau Canada, Landlord and Tenant Board - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
For more safety information, visit Ottawa Beware or explore Local News!
