Trusted by 1,000+ international students
Moving to the Netherlands? We're here to protect you from rental scams
so you can focus on your dreams, not your worries.
Moving to the Netherlands? We're here to protect you from rental scams
so you can focus on your studies, not your worries.
✓ One-time payment ✓ 24-hour verification ✓ Money-back guarantee
The problem
Housing crisis in the Netherlands is well-known by online rental scammers
Students arranging room from abroad have no options to view the property
Sending the bond and one month of rent can be pressured by the landlord
James
Landlord:
Out of country
38m
Pablo
Landlord:
Sign contract
11hr
Micheal
Landlord:
No viewing
5d
Martin
Landlord:
Western Union
12d
Every year, thousands of international students and newcomers lose money to rental scams before they even arrive in the Netherlands. The housing market is tight, scammers are clever, and the risk is real. We’re here to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.
The solution
Housetective is the only solution that actively verifies properties and landlords for red flags and rental scams. This means properties you can finally trust.
Share Your Find
Send us the listing that caught your eye. We know how exciting finding the perfect place can be.
We Investigate
Our Dutch housing experts verify everything, from the landlord's identity to the property's legitimacy.
Move In Safely
Get your detailed report and move forward with confidence. Your Dutch adventure starts with peace of mind.
The magic
Now you can use Housetective to find reliable housing and landlords before sending money.
Delft
elenacosby@gmail.com
+31 6 24756183
Verify the property
Housetective finds verified property data where others fail. Utilize our real life inspection to verify the porperties legitimaticy and transparency.
Three simple steps between you and your worry-free Dutch home
Share Your Find
Send us the listing that caught your eye. We know how exciting finding the perfect place can be.
We Investigate
Our Dutch housing experts verify everything, from the landlord's identity to the property's legitimacy.
Move In Safely
Get your detailed report and move forward with confidence. Your Dutch adventure starts with peace of mind.
Trusted by students from
University of Amsterdam
TU Delft
Eramus University Rotterdam
Utrecht University
VU Amsterdam
Leiden University
Maastricht University
Feature-rich suite
Every package is designed for international students and expats who need to verify a property.
Get peace of mind while renting remotely. We help you make safe choices before signing or paying anything.
Our team performs thorough digital and on-site inspections to uncover fraud, risk, and missing details.
We verify ownership, landlords, and listing details so you never send money to a fake or risky property.
Wall of love
Hear from students who avoided costly mistakes
Amsterdam
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"Housetective saved me from sending €1,200 to a fake landlord. The report confirmed the owner wasn’t real."
Delft
"They checked the listing, reviewed my contract, and called the landlord. I felt safe renting from abroad."
Utrecht
"The report was clear and fast. They verified everything, and I finally felt confident sending the deposit."
Eindhoven
"I was nervous about student housing scams. Their inspection made it easy to rent safely before moving."
Leiden
"The listing looked real, but it was fake. Housetective found the fraud and saved me from losing €2,000."
Groningen
"Renting from the US was stressful. Their report and photos gave me peace of mind before arriving.”
Stay alert
Legitimate landlords don't ask for deposits before you've seen the property or met in person.
Real listings have genuine photos. Be wary of perfect stock images or very few pictures.
"You must decide today!" is a classic scam tactic. Real landlords understand you need time.
Always insist on meeting the landlord or doing a video tour. No exceptions.
A beautiful Amsterdam apartment for €600? If it seems impossible, it is.
Scammers often use broken English or copy responses. Trust your instincts.
See any of these red flags?
Don't ignore your gut feeling. Send us the listing and we'll investigate it for you. Better safe than sorry.
Our founder
Mike Intveld, Founder & Msc student at TU Delft
"As a former international student, I understand the mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with finding housing in a new country. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of this vulnerability. That is why I am committed to helping students stay safe.
Every scam we prevent means one more student can pursue their dreams without disruption. It is what motivates me every day to ensure your journey in the Netherlands begins securely."
Connect on LinkedIn
Our numbers don't lie
Service
Guarded
Our most trusted inspection service, Guarded, is built to protect you from rental scams before they happen. Whether you're searching from abroad or already in the Netherlands, we verify the property and the landlord so you can rent with confidence.
Every year, renters lose thousands to fraud, but with Guarded, you won’t be one of them. It’s the stress-free, worry-free way to secure housing safely. No surprises, just security.
Articles
Every plan includes our core scam detection. Pick what feels right for your situation.
"For the cautious renter"
Including:
"For the smart renter"
Everything in Safe, along with:
"For the worry-free renter"
Everything in Shield, along with:
Not sure which plan? Chat with our team
Questions
We verify the legitimacy of rental properties and landlords in the Netherlands before you send any money or sign anything. Our team runs ownership checks and can even visit the property in person.
If we miss something or if a fraud goes undetected, we offer a money-back guarantee. Your safety is our priority.
Our inspections are carried out by local inspectors who understand Dutch rental laws, fraud tactics, and housing platforms.
Yes. You can book a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions, explain your situation, or get personalized help.
Call
Book a free consult with one of our inspectors.
Every year, thousands of people in the Netherlands fall victim to rental fraud, losing an estimated €5 million collectively, with individuals losing an average of €1,200. For expats and international students trying to rent from abroad, the risk is even higher.
That’s why our Protection+ fixed-price package is designed to take the worry off your shoulders. With thorough inspections of rentals and landlords, you get a clear, honest picture of your potential home before you commit. Imagine being able to rent safely from abroad without endless uncertainty, hidden traps, or the fear of losing your deposit to fraud.
Trusted by students at
UvA
TU Delft
Eramus University Rotterdam
Utrecht University
Money-back guarantee
Whats included? Absolutely everything.
Our story
The Netherlands faces a growing housing shortage each year, and by 2025, the shortfall is projected to reach 25,000 student accommodations.
As one of the most challenging countries in Europe for students to find housing, the situation has become a hotspot for online rental scammers. These scammers use various tricks and tactics to take your money for a room that doesn’t exist—only for you to arrive in the Netherlands and find nothing there.
Every year, thousands of people in the Netherlands fall victim to rental fraud, collectively losing an estimated €5 million, with individuals losing an average of €1,200. For expats and international students renting from abroad, the risk is even greater.
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