Trusted by 1,000+ international students

Don’t Get Scammed.
Rent With Confidence.

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

Housing

Why we’re here

The Netherlands is one of the toughest housing markets in the world and scammers know it.

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.

3.000+
Victims each year
€3.6M+
Stolen annually
1IN5
Getting scammed

Process

How we protect you

Three simple steps between you and your worry-free Dutch home

  • Housing inspection step 1 personalized consultation

    Share Your Find

    Send us the listing that caught your eye. We know how exciting finding the perfect place can be.

  • Inspection step 2 comprehensive inspection

    We Investigate

    Our Dutch housing experts verify everything, from the landlord's identity to the property's legitimacy.

  • Inspection step 3 detailed reporting

    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

10,000+
Students Protected
€2M+
Scams Prevented
24hrs
Average Response
98%
Succes Rate

Testimonials

Real stories, real protection

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."

- Alejandro from Spain

Delft

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"They checked the listing, reviewed my contract, and called the landlord. I felt safe renting from abroad."

- Lola from Germany

Utrecht

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"The report was clear and fast. They verified everything, and I finally felt confident sending the deposit."

- Tom from Denmark

Eindhoven

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"I was nervous about student housing scams. Their inspection made it easy to rent safely before moving."

- Marco from Italy

Leiden

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"The listing looked real, but it was fake. Housetective found the fraud and saved me from losing €2,000."

- Louise from Sweden

Groningen

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"Renting from the US was stressful. Their report and photos gave me peace of mind before arriving.”

- Mody from the United States

Trusted by students from

University of Amsterdam

TU Delft

Eramus University Rotterdam

Utrecht University

VU Amsterdam

Leiden University

Maastricht University

Our Founder

From one student to another

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."

Our numbers don't lie

1.000+
Students protected from scams
€1.2M+
Saved from fraudulent listings
100%
Dedicated to your safety

Stay Alert

Know the warning signs

money upfront before viewing

Money upfront before viewing

Legitimate landlords don't ask for deposits before you've seen the property or met in person.

stock photos or limited images

Stock photos or limited images

Real listings have genuine photos. Be wary of perfect stock images or very few pictures.

extreme urgency pressure

Extreme urgency pressure

"You must decide today!" is a classic scam tactic. Real landlords understand you need time.

can't meet in person or video call

Can't meet in person or video call

Always insist on meeting the landlord or doing a video tour. No exceptions.

too good to be true prices

Too good to be true prices

A beautiful Amsterdam apartment for €600? If it seems impossible, it is.

poor communication or grammar

Poor communication or grammar

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.

Get started today

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

Learn how to avoid scams

Read

Rental scam guide: 2025

Read

Rental scam story: Utrecht

Read

Typical 'landlord' message

Read

Coming soon...

Choose Your Protection Level

Every plan includes our core scam detection. Pick what feels right for your situation.

Safe

"For the cautious renter"

79

Including:

A blue thick mark
Verified property ownership
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Confirmed landlord registration
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Summary-level fraud risk rating
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Report delivered in 24 hours
Inspect Now

Learn More

Shield

"For the smart renter"

149

Everything in Safe, along with:

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Neighborhood risk analysis
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Legal check for rental terms
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Verified fraud-safe score
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Report delivered in 48 hours
Inspect Now

Learn More

Guarded

"For the worry-free renter"

199

Everything in Shield, along with:

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In-person visit to the property
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High-quality photos
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Priority and follow-up support
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Report delivered in 72 hours
Inspect Now

Learn More

Not sure which plan? Chat with our team

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What exactly does Housetective do?

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.

What if I’m not satisfied with the report?

If we miss something or if a fraud goes undetected, we offer a money-back guarantee. Your safety is our priority.

Who performs the inspections?

Our inspections are carried out by local inspectors who understand Dutch rental laws, fraud tactics, and housing platforms.

Can I speak with someone before purchasing?

Yes. You can book a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions, explain your situation, or get personalized help.

Call

Need help? Let’s talk

Book a free consult with one of our inspectors.

Inspecting with Housetective

Inspect before you pay.
Protect your rent deposit.

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

Protection+

Money-back guarantee

249

Whats included? Absolutely everything.

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In-person property inspection by a local inspector
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High-resolution photos of the property and all key areas
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Personalized risk grade and rent recommendation
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Priority handling and personal follow-up support
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Report delivered in 24 hours after inspection

Our story

Why we exist

Housing situation in the Netherlands

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.

3,000+
Fraud Victims
€1.2M+
Fraud Losses
1OUT5
Students Scammed
92%
Scam Approach