How to Avoid Housing Scams as an Erasmus Student in Athens

Don't Fall for Housing Scams! 🚨 Stay alert and book safely—know the red flags before renting your Erasmus apartment in Athens.

Finding a place to live in Athens should be exciting.

You’re about to kick off your Erasmus experience, meet new people, and dive into a new culture.

But here’s the ugly truth: the student housing market is full of scammers looking to take advantage of students like you—especially if you're booking from abroad.

One wrong move, and you could lose your deposit, arrive in Athens to find your apartment doesn’t exist, or get stuck in a nightmare rental agreement.

That’s why we're about to show you how to spot scams before they spot you—so you can book a real, safe, and comfortable place to live without the stress.

1. If It Looks Too Good to Be True, It’s a Scam

Scammers love preying on students who are desperate for affordable housing.

Their tactic?

Listings that seem too perfect—huge apartments in the city center for dirt-cheap prices.

🚨 Red Flag Example:

You see a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment in Plaka for €200/month, all bills included. The pictures look like a luxury Airbnb, and the description sounds like a dream.

📌 Reality Check: No landlord in Athens is renting out a central, fully furnished apartment for that price. The average cost of a room in a shared Erasmus apartment is at least €350-€500/month. If something seems way below market value, it’s a scam.

✅ How to Protect Yourself: Compare prices on different platforms. If a listing is drastically cheaper than others in the same area, walk away.

2. Never Send Money Before Signing a Verified Lease

One of the most common scams involves fake landlords asking for deposits upfront before you even visit the apartment.

Once you send the money, they disappear.

🚨 Red Flag Example:

A “landlord” tells you they’re currently abroad but can “reserve” the apartment for you if you wire them one month’s rent and a deposit.

📌 Reality Check: Legitimate housing providers don’t ask for money before you’ve seen the place or signed an official lease. No serious landlord will pressure you into paying upfront without verifying anything.

✅ How to Protect Yourself:

Only pay through secure methods (bank transfers to registered companies or payment through a rental platform).

If possible, view the apartment in person or ask for a video call tour before paying anything.

Demand a legal rental contract before making any payments.

3. Google Everything—Yes, Everything

Scammers often reuse stolen photos, create fake landlord identities, and post on sketchy websites.

A quick online search can expose a scam.

🚨 Red Flag Example:

You receive an email from "Maria Georgiou,” offering a great apartment.

But when you Google the images from the listing, you find them on a real estate website in Spain.

📌 Reality Check: Scammers steal pictures from legitimate listings in other countries and repost them on student housing websites.

✅ How to Protect Yourself:

Reverse search images by dragging them into Google Images. If they appear on other listings or websites, it’s a scam.

Google the landlord’s name, email, and phone number. If nothing legitimate pops up or you see scam reports, avoid them.

Check for reviews if you’re booking through a rental agency.

4. Verify the Landlord or Rental Company

Before you trust anyone with your money, make sure they actually exist.

🚨 Red Flag Example:

A landlord claims they own multiple properties in Athens but refuses to provide proof of ownership, business registration, or an official lease.

📌 Reality Check: A real housing provider will have a website, reviews, and official registration in Greece.

If you can’t find them in any business database, they don’t exist.

✅ How to Protect Yourself:

Ask for their Greek tax registration number (AFM) or business license.

Search for the company name on Google and social media.

Look for verified student housing providers (like Rooms Athens) that specialize in Erasmus accommodation.

5. Watch Out for High-Pressure Tactics

Scammers don’t want you to think too hard.

They’ll rush you into making a decision before you have time to verify anything.

🚨 Red Flag Example:

The “landlord” says, “I have five other people interested, so if you don’t pay today, you’ll lose it!”

📌 Reality Check: Real landlords don’t force you to pay on the spot. If someone is pushing you to send money fast, they’re trying to scam you before you figure it out.

✅ How to Protect Yourself:

Take your time. If they can’t give you 48 hours to verify the listing, move on.

Ask for a video tour or a live call before making any decisions.

6. Check the Contract for Hidden Traps

A legitimate apartment will come with a Greek rental contract that follows local laws.

But some landlords slip in unfair clauses that can cost you big time.

🚨 Red Flag Example:

Your contract states that if you move out early, you lose your deposit and must pay for the entire rental period.

📌 Reality Check: While deposits are normal, forcing a student to pay for months they’re not staying is a scam move.

✅ How to Protect Yourself:

Make sure the contract is in Greek AND English.

Check that the terms match what you discussed (deposit, rent amount, move-out terms, etc.).

If anything feels off, have a local friend or housing provider review it.

7. Choose Trusted Housing Providers for Peace of Mind

You don’t have to navigate this housing nightmare alone.

Booking with a verified student housing provider means you get real listings, official contracts, and ongoing support.

🚨 Why Rooms Athens is Scam-Proof:

✅ We’ve been providing verified, furnished student housing since 2015.

✅ No hidden fees, no fake listings, no scams—just transparent, official rentals.

✅ All contracts are legally recognized in Greece, so you can apply for a visa, bank account, etc.

✅ Our support team is available 24/7 to help with any issues during your stay.

If you found this guide helpful and want real Erasmus housing in Athens without the scams, check out our listings. Safe, secure, and stress-free.

Final Thoughts

Scammers are everywhere, but now you know how to spot them before they take your money.

🔹 Too cheap? Scam

🔹 Pressured to act fast? Scam

🔹 No contract or sketchy landlord? Scam

🔹 Asked to pay before seeing the apartment? Scam

Take your time, verify everything, and trust only legit housing providers.

And if you want a safe, comfortable home in Athens without the stress, we’ve got you covered. 🎉