Stay safe while you search
Most people on ozflatmates are genuine, but rental scams do happen. A few simple habits will keep your money and your personal details safe.
Don't transfer money up front
No bond, deposit, "holding fee" or first week's rent should leave your account before you've inspected the room and met the person renting it. Scammers prefer payments that are hard to trace or reverse – bank transfers to personal accounts, gift cards, crypto, Western Union or payment apps.
- Pay only after the inspection, once you're happy and have agreed the terms.
- Always ask for a receipt. In most states a bond for a formal tenancy has to be lodged with the state bond authority – ask how yours will be handled.
- Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay "to secure the room" before a viewing.
See the place in person
Photos can be borrowed from anywhere. Visit the room before you commit and check that it matches the ad and that the person showing it actually lives there or manages it.
- Arrange the viewing for daytime and tell a friend where you're going – or bring them along.
- Can't make it yourself? Ask a friend to go, or request a live video call walking through the room – not a pre-recorded video.
- Look up the address online and make sure it exists and looks like the photos.
Too good to be true? It probably is
A furnished room near the beach for half the usual rent, with bills included and no one else applying, is the classic bait. Compare the price with similar rooms in the same suburb – if it's far below the rest, treat it as a red flag.
- Be cautious with stories like "I'm overseas for work, I'll post you the keys once you pay".
- Run a reverse image search on the photos to see if they appear elsewhere.
Pressure to decide fast
Scammers create urgency so you don't stop to think: "five other people want it", "pay today or it's gone", "I can only hold it until tonight". A genuine flatmate or landlord will give you time to view the room and ask questions.
- If you feel rushed, slow down. It's fine to walk away.
- Be suspicious of anyone who wants to move the chat off the platform straight away or avoids a phone or video call.
Guard your personal details
Don't send copies of your passport, driver's licence, visa or bank statements before you've met and agreed to rent the room. These documents are valuable for identity theft. Never share passwords or one-time codes with anyone.
Overpayments and refunds
If someone "accidentally" pays you more than agreed and asks you to send back the difference, don't. The original payment usually bounces a few days later and the money you sent is gone.
Something feels off? Tell us
Use Report this listing on any ad or profile, or contact us. We review reports and remove scam listings. If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away and report it to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and ReportCyber (cyber.gov.au).