Fraudsters impersonating letting agents have defrauded tenants of £8,000 by using a short-term holiday let in north London to conduct fake property viewings, with around 20 people reportedly affected by the scam.
The case highlights growing risks for landlords whose properties could be unknowingly used in sophisticated rental fraud schemes.
How the scam worked
Two women lost approximately £8,000 after signing what appeared to be a legitimate tenancy agreement for a flat in Chapel Market, Islington. One attended an in-person viewing while the other participated via video call. Both paid a six-week deposit and three months’ rent in advance.
Upon arriving on their scheduled move-in date, they discovered from a cleaner that the property was actually a short-term holiday rental. The criminals had rented the property briefly, then scheduled multiple viewings to defraud prospective tenants.
One victim said: “I had never heard of this sort of thing happening. It mirrored exactly what a tenancy process looks like.”
Warning signs for landlords
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has warned that criminals can rent properties for brief periods specifically to conduct fake viewings, making such scams difficult to detect.
Alison Farrar, Lead Officer for Property and Lettings at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, explained that criminals schedule multiple viewings during short rental periods, and advised renters to avoid feeling pressured, noting legitimate landlords or agents would not rush prospective tenants into making payments.
Landlords who list properties on short-term letting platforms should be aware their addresses could be targeted. Consider installing additional security measures, maintaining good communication with neighbours, and choosing platforms with strong guest verification processes.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving multiple reports of alleged rental fraud between January and July 2025, suggesting the problem extends beyond this single address.
Opinion
This scam works because fraudsters exploit the trust landlords place in short-term letting platforms. While the immediate victims are tenants, landlords should recognise their properties could become tools for fraud. Better vetting of short-let guests and clear communication about property use could help prevent your address becoming the next staging ground for rental fraud.
