How to Verify a Rental Listing Is Legitimate in Germany

Finding a flat in Germany can be stressful, especially in cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt. Demand is high, competition is intense, and scammers know it. Fake listings promise beautiful, cheap apartments and then disappear with your deposit. Consumer centres and the European Consumer Centre regularly warn about rental fraud based on fake online ads in Germany.

The good news: with a structured approach, you can verify a German rental listing quite reliably before you send money or sign a contract. This guide focuses on mid‑ to long‑term rentals (like those on Wunderflats) and explains Germany‑specific checks: documents, registries, safe payment methods, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Disclaimer: This article is practical guidance, not legal advice. For binding legal questions, contact a tenant association (Mieterverein) or a lawyer.

1. How rental fraud usually works in Germany

Before you check a listing, it helps to know the most common patterns. German consumer and police authorities describe similar scams again and again:

Typical elements are:

Unrealistically low rent
A large, renovated flat in a central area for far less than comparable offers. Scammers deliberately undercut the market to trigger fear of missing out.
Landlord “abroad”
The “owner” claims to work or live abroad and cannot show the apartment in person. They offer a key service, a relative, or a platform like “Airbnb” as a supposed intermediary, often via a fake website that only mimics the real service.
Pay first, see later
You are asked to pay deposit and first rent before any viewing “to reserve” the flat. Often via bank transfer to an unknown account, via Western Union, or another irreversible method.
Stolen photos and texts
Photos and descriptions are copied from legitimate ads on other portals and reused in fake listings.
Pressure and urgency
“Many applicants”, “must decide today”, “otherwise I rent to someone else”. The goal is to rush you into sending money before you verify anything.

Knowing these patterns helps you avoid rental fraud in Germany proactively. The next sections show how to test whether a listing is real.

2. Step by step: How to check if an apartment listing in Germany is valid

If you’re wondering, “Check apartment listing Germany validity – where do I start?”, use this sequence every time:

Analyse the ad itself.
Verify the person renting it out.
Verify ownership or the right to rent.
Check the contract and required documents.
Insist on a proper viewing.
Use safe communication and payment channels.

Step 1: Analyse the listing carefully

Start with the information visible on the portal.

Red flags in the text and data

Price far below market for the area, size, and condition. Compare with several other listings in the same neighbourhood.
No full address, only a very vague location (“Berlin Mitte area”) or a pin that doesn’t match the description.
Very generic description, often in bad or copy‑paste English, with little detail about the building, heating type, or utilities.
Strange fees such as high “agency fees” or “service fees” payable to a private person, not to an actual agency.

Consumer advice centres explicitly warn that “too good to be true” prices and vague information are typical for fake apartments.

What to do

Check the address on an online map. Does the building exist? Does the street view roughly match the façade in the photos?
Compare the photos with other portals using reverse image search (more on tools below).
Note the landlord’s name, email, and phone number for the next steps.

On Wunderflats, also look for indicators that the listing and user have been verified. Wunderflats verifies the identities of both landlords and tenants and marks verified listings with a badge or watermark in the photos.

Step 2: Verify the landlord’s identity

You should know exactly who you are renting from.

Information you should have at a minimum

Ask for:

Full name and address of the landlord or sub‑landlord
A German phone number you can call
For companies: full company name and registration details (Handelsregisternummer)

If the landlord is a private person, it is reasonable to ask to see an ID (Personalausweis or passport) during the viewing or via secure video call, with sensitive numbers covered. The name on the ID should match the name in the rental contract and on any bank account used for rent payments.

However, be aware that banks in Germany do not technically check whether the account name matches the IBAN when processing a transfer. Police and consumer authorities warn that correctly-looking names next to an IBAN do not prove that the account belongs to that person.

For companies or property managers:

Look them up in the Handelsregister/Unternehmensregister or via a business directory to confirm they exist at the stated address.
Their company name should appear in the contract and on invoices.

Sublets and third‑party rentals

If you are renting from a:

Main tenant (Untermiete) – ask for written permission from the owner or property manager (Untermieterlaubnis). § 540 BGB requires the landlord’s consent for subletting.
Property manager (Hausverwaltung) – ask for a document or email showing they act for the owner.

If they refuse to provide any confirmation of their right to rent the unit, treat this as a major warning sign.

On Wunderflats, user identity verification is built into the platform: landlords must go through an identity check before renting out.

Still, if something feels inconsistent (name in contract vs. platform profile, for example), ask the Wunderflats support team to clarify.

Step 3: Check property ownership or right to rent

To verify a German rental listing more deeply, you can check who owns the property or at least whether your contact is connected to the address.

3.1. Grundbuch (land register) – what is realistic?

The Grundbuch is Germany’s official land register. It contains the legal owner of each property and encumbrances such as mortgages. Access is restricted: under §12 Grundbuchordnung, anyone can request access only if they can show a “berechtigtes Interesse” (legitimate interest).

Tenant organisations and legal guides point out:

Prospective tenants can, in principle, argue legitimate interest regarding a future rental, but access is not automatic and often requires proof (e.g., serious negotiation, draft contract).
Access is usually via the local Amtsgericht (Grundbuchamt) or via official online portals of the federal states.

In practice, for a simple flat search, it is often easier to ask the landlord to show a recent Grundbuchauszug (land register excerpt) or other ownership proof. They can redact financial details if needed; you mainly need to see:

The property address
The owner’s name

If they claim they cannot or will not show any ownership proof at all, be critical.

3.2. Alternative ownership proofs

If Grundbuch access is not feasible, you can ask to see:

A notarised purchase contract (Kaufvertrag) naming the owner and the property address.
A recent property tax or utility bill that lists the owner’s name and address for this property.
Correspondence from the Hausverwaltung (property management) addressed to the landlord for this building.

Again, names and addresses should be consistent with what you see in the listing and the contract.

3. Check the rental contract and required documents

A serious landlord in Germany will be happy to send you the Mietvertrag (rental contract) draft and required documents before you transfer money.

Tenant associations like Deutscher Mieterbund and legal guides provide detailed checklists for rental contracts; the following is a simplified version for fraud detection.

3.1. Rental contract (Mietvertrag): minimum checks

Check that the contract contains at least:

Full names and addresses of landlord and tenant(s)
Full address of the apartment, including floor and unit if applicable
Exact start date and minimum term
Rent structure:
- Basic rent (Kaltmiete)
- Advance for service charges (Nebenkosten)
- Total warm rent (Warmmiete)
Deposit (Kaution):
- Maximum three net cold rents by German law (§551 BGB); higher is not enforceable.
- The deposit can be paid in three installments (§ 551 (2) BGB)
- The tenant is entitled to the interest on the deposit (§ 551 (3) BGB)
- Payment schedule and account details.
Payment details:
- Bank account (IBAN) of the landlord or their company
- Due date (usually by the third working day of each month)

Red flags in contracts:

Landlord’s name not specified or only a first name.
Contract in a foreign language only, without any German version, when dealing with a German private landlord not using platforms like Wunderflats.
Very short, generic template with no clear address or term.
“Agency fees” are payable to a private person or large “processing fees” upfront.

Deutscher Mieterbund and other organisations also offer their own model contracts and checklists, which you can compare with the document you receive.

On Wunderflats, landlords and tenants generally use standardised rental agreements, and the platform offers guidance around contracts and move‑in/out processes.

3.2. Energy performance certificate (Energieausweis)

Germany’s Gebäudeenergiegesetz (GEG) requires landlords to provide an Energieausweis when they rent out a property. Consumer organisations stress that a valid energy certificate is mandatory for new rentals.

The mandatory information from the energy performance certificate must already appear in the advertisement. Also, violations can be punished with high fines GEG (§§ 79–81).

What to check:

Address of the building on the certificate.
Type of certificate (Bedarfsausweis or Verbrauchsausweis).
Validity dates.
Name and professional ID of the expert who issued it.
Owner’s or landlord’s name.

A landlord who cannot show any Energieausweis and has no plausible explanation may be disorganised – or may not legally rent the flat.

3.3. Additional useful documents

These are not always required by law but are useful for verification:

Last Nebenkostenabrechnung (service charge statement) – shows that the building exists, lists the apartment, and often the owner’s or management’s name.
Hausordnung (house rules) – typically issued by the property manager; another sign that the building is managed properly.
For furnished flats: an inventory list and a handover protocol to sign at move‑in.
When concluding the contract, providers must specify an authorized representative in Germany (e.g., the landlord’s address if he/she lives abroad).

None of these alone proves legitimacy, but together they build a consistent picture

4. Safe communication and payment methods

Even a legitimate‑looking listing can become a problem if you send money in an insecure way. This is where many tenants lose money.

4.1. Keep communication on the platform

For portals like Wunderflats:

Use the internal messaging system.
Be cautious if a landlord tries to move conversations quickly to WhatsApp, private email, or a random website.
Do not click on links that pretend to be from Wunderflats but use a strange domain spelling.

Platforms that verify all users (landlords and tenants) and offer secure booking flows significantly reduce fraud risk. Wunderflats, for example, verifies the identities of all users and may process the first month’s rent via the platform for selected listings.

4.2. Which payments are risky?

Authorities and consumer centres consistently warn against:

Avoid:

Western Union, MoneyGram or similar services
Cryptocurrencies
Prepaid cards or gift cards
“PayPal Friends & Family” with unknown people
Any method where you cannot reasonably reverse the payment or trace the recipient.

Even transfers to German IBANs (DE…) can be risky, because banks do not verify whether the account holder’s name matches the name you see.

4.3. Safer payment approach

For a typical German tenancy:

Do not pay anything before:
1. You have verified the landlord’s identity.
2. You have seen the apartment (in person or in a live tour).
3. You have received and read the contract.
Prefer standard bank transfer within the EU (SEPA) to an account in the landlord’s or company’s name, after contract signing.
For platforms like Wunderflats, follow the platform’s payment flow. In some cases, the first month’s rent is paid to Wunderflats and only forwarded to the landlord 48 hours after your contract start date – adding an extra safety layer.

If a landlord insists on a full deposit and several months of rent before you have any contract or viewing, or only offers high‑risk payment channels, treat the listing as highly suspicious.

5. Online tools and resources to verify a listing

Digital tools help you transform vague suspicion into concrete evidence.

5.1. Reverse image search

Upload one of the apartment photos to an image search engine:

If the same images appear in a different city, at a different price, or under a different landlord’s name, the listing is likely fake.
Be aware that some landlords cross‑list the same property on multiple portals, which is fine, but details (city, address area, size, furnishings) should match.

5.2. Maps and address checks

Use online maps to:

Verify that the building exists at the given address.
Compare the street view with the building façade and surroundings shown in the listing.
Check local noise sources, construction, etc. (not about fraud, but useful anyway).

5.3. Name and company checks

Search:

Landlord’s name plus city plus terms like “Mietbetrug” or “Betrug”.
Company name in the Handelsregister/Unternehmensregister.
Reviews of the agency or management company.

Law firms and consumer organisations document typical scams and sometimes refer to known fake landlords or methods.

5.4. Land registry and official portals

For deeper verification:

Use the federal and state land registry portals listed on the official Justizportal to find the competent Grundbuchamt if you have a strong legitimate interest.
This is optional for most rentals but can be useful for high‑value, long‑term commitments.

5.5. Consumer and tenant organisations

Useful resources:

Verbraucherzentrale (consumer centres) – provide guides on fake property adverts and energy certificate obligations.
Deutscher Mieterbund (German Tenant Association) – offers materials, local associations, and contract checklists.
European Consumer Centre Germany (EVZ) – has specific advice on cross‑border rental fraud.
Police advisory portals – publish alerts and general tips about fraudulent listings.

These organisations are especially helpful if you already suspect fraud.

6. What to do if the listing is fake or you’ve already paid

Even when you are careful, you might still encounter fraud. React quickly.

6.1. If you only suspect fraud (no payment yet)

Stop communicating with the suspected scammer.
Do not send documents such as passports, bank statements, or employment contracts outside secure channels.
Report the listing to the platform (e.g., via Wunderflats support chat) so it can be reviewed and removed if necessary.

6.2. If you have already transferred money

Authorities and consumer centres recommend the following steps:

1. Contact your bank immediately
  - Ask whether the transfer can still be recalled (Rückruf) or reversed.
  - The chances are limited, especially if the scammer has already withdrawn the money, but speed matters.
2. File a police report (Strafanzeige)
  - You can usually do this online or at the nearest station.
  - Provide all evidence: listing screenshots, chat history, emails, payment confirmations.
3. Inform the platform
  - Send them the same evidence so they can block the account and warn other users.
4. Contact consumer organisations
  - Local Verbraucherzentrale or the European Consumer Centre can advise on next steps, especially in cross‑border cases.
5. If you shared ID copies
  - Monitor for identity misuse (unexpected credit offers, accounts in your name).
  - In serious cases, consider applying for a new passport and discussing further steps with the authorities.

Legal recovery of funds is often difficult, but reporting helps prevent others from falling for the same scam and may support investigations.

7. Special tips for expats and non‑German speakers

Many guides skip this, but a big gap is how non‑German speakers can apply the above steps without speaking fluent German.

7.1. Contracts and communication language

There is no legal obligation to keep the contract in German. It is more important that the tenant understands the contract.
Ask for an English version of the rental contract or at least a translated summary of the key clauses (rent, term, deposit, termination).
On Wunderflats, many listings explicitly state that contracts are available in English and that communication with the landlord can be in English.
If you get only a German contract, consider:
- Using a translation tool on a scanned copy (without posting it publicly).
- Asking a German‑speaking friend or colleague to read the most important sections.
- Booking a short consultation with a tenant association (Mieterverein) or a lawyer.

7.2. Registration (Anmeldung)

For mid‑ to long‑term stays, you usually need to register your address (Anmeldung). For that, the landlord must provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord’s confirmation). Many Wunderflats listings clearly indicate whether registration is possible.

Ask directly:

“Can I register (Anmeldung) at this address?”
“Will you provide the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?”

A landlord who refuses to answer at all may not have the legal right to rent the unit in that way.

7.3. Sample email templates

You can adapt the following text when contacting a landlord on any platform:

Template: Request for documents & viewing

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your message about the apartment at [address].

Before we proceed, could you please send me:
– Your full name and address
– A draft of the rental contract (Mietvertrag)
– Confirmation that you are the owner or authorised to rent the apartment (e.g. Grundbuchauszug, letter from Hausverwaltung, or owner’s authorisation)
– Whether I can register my address (Anmeldung) at this apartment and receive a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung

I would also like to arrange a viewing, ideally [in person / via live video].

Best regards,
[Your name]

If they react aggressively or refuse basic transparency, treat that as a red flag.

7.4. Real estate agents in Germany

Real estate agents require a trade license (§ 34d GewO) or registration. Keep a close eye on unauthorized “brokerage fees”.

8. Summary: Practical verification checklist

If you only remember one thing, make it this: never send money for a German rental before you’ve verified the person, the place, and the paperwork.

Use this checklist before you sign a rental contract or send any money.
You can copy, print, or adapt it for your own use.

Or take a look at this short checklist to quickly verify a German rental listing:

Listing & first impression

Is the price realistic compared to similar flats in the area?
Is the address or at least the district clearly indicated?
Do photos look consistent and not like generic luxury stock images?
Does the platform mark the user or listing as verified (e.g. Wunderflats “Verified Listing” badge)?

Landlord identity & right to rent

Do you know the landlord’s full name and address?
For companies: Is the company registered and findable online?
For sublets: Did you see written permission from the owner or property manager?
Does the bank account name match the landlord or company (even if banks don’t technically verify it)?

Ownership/authorisation

Did you see some proof that the landlord is the owner or authorised (Grundbuchauszug, purchase contract, Hausverwaltung letter, or similar)?
Are names and addresses consistent across documents?

Contract & documents

Do you have a written Mietvertrag with clear names, address, rent, start date, and deposit?
Is the deposit max three months’ net cold rent?
Did you see a valid Energieausweis for the building?
Do you understand the key clauses (in German or in translation)?

Viewing & apartment existence

Have you seen the apartment in person or in a live video tour?
Did the landlord or representative clearly have access (keys, ability to show common areas)?
Do mailbox and doorbell names make sense?

Payments & security

Are you communicating mainly through the platform or traceable channels (not only WhatsApp)?
Are you using safe payment methods (no Western Union, no gift cards, no crypto)
Are you paying after contract signing and reasonable verification steps?

If you follow this checklist regularly, you effectively answer the question “legitimate flat Germany – how to test it?” in a structured way every time. You will not catch 100% of sophisticated frauds, but you will avoid almost all common scams and greatly reduce your risk.

Final note: Using Wunderflats safely

Wunderflats already reduces risk by:

Verifying the identities of all landlords and tenants.
Offering standardised contracts and clear process descriptions for booking, payment, and move‑in/out.
Marking verified listings with a dedicated badge.

Still, the steps above remain useful: they help you check apartment listing Germany validity on any platform and avoid rental fraud in Germany wherever you’re searching.

If you are ever in doubt about a listing on Wunderflats, contact our support team directly through the official website or app before you transfer money or sign anything.

Legal review by Stephan Hartmann, Ass. jur., Data Privacy Officer at Lecturio — Tbilisi, Georgia

Disclaimer: The contents of this page have been prepared for your information and Stephan Hartmann, Ass. jur., Data Privacy Officer at Lecturio has been commissioned to check the legal correctness of this article. However, this article does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a legal professional for personalized guidance, especially if you're renting out property in Germany as a non-resident landlord or in complex circumstances.