Safety · Georgian market · practical guide
Rental Scams in Georgia — How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself (2026)
The most common rental schemes in Georgia: advance transfers, “the owner is abroad”, listings with someone else’s photos — and the real defenses.
The most common schemes
Deposit before viewing
“Many people want it, reserve it by transfer” — the classic sign. A legitimate owner takes money at signing, not before a viewing.
“The owner is abroad”
Keys arrive by courier and nobody signs the contract. If you cannot meet the owner and money is requested before viewing — walk away.
Bait price
The price is far below market. The goal is to bring you to a viewing where it turns out “sold”, then offer a pricier option. Compare the per-m² price with the district median.
Someone else’s photos
Listing photos are taken from other, older ads. At the viewing, confirm the flat matches the photos — from the window view to the floor.
Deposit “confiscation”
The contract omits deposit return terms; at the end everything counts as “damage”. The amount, return deadline and written deduction grounds must be in the contract.
Verifying the owner — Georgia’s superpower
Registry extract
A public registry extract shows the flat’s owner. Ask for the extract or a photo of it and match it against the owner’s ID. Our registry page walks you through it.
View in person, in daylight
See the flat yourself. Working meters, the door lock, a word with the neighbors — five minutes and the picture is clear.
Contract + act
The lease fixes the rent, deposit, payment day, number of keys and meter readings in a handover act — this is your protective paper.
What the contract must contain
- Landlord identification and the flat address
- Rent amount, payment day and the review rule
- Deposit: amount, return deadline, only written deduction grounds
- Utilities: what is metered and what is fixed at move-in
- Key handover and the meter act
- Notice period and emergency-repair obligations
If you were scammed
- Record everything: correspondence, transfers, the listing link and screenshots
- Report the listing on our platform — investigation and landlord restrictions start automatically
- Cancel/block the bank transfer if still possible
- If you lost money, contact the police (112) — fraud is a criminal offense
How we protect you
Every listing passes a fraud radar: price per m² against the district median, detection of “advance transfer” / “owner abroad” phrasing and other signals. Suspicious listings get flagged for moderation — but the final decision and the money are yours, so learn the rules.
Frequently asked questions
How large should the deposit be?
Market practice is 1–2 months of rent; the Civil Code bars demanding more than two months. What matters is a written return deadline and written deduction grounds in the contract.
Can the landlord not be the owner?
Yes, it is legal — but then a notarized power of attorney or documented owner consent is needed. Ask for the extract plus the authorization together.
Why not transfer an advance before viewing?
Because after the transfer you control nothing: not the flat, not the terms. Pay the advance at signing, in person, with a receipt.
The owner hides their ID number — what now?
That itself is a red flag. A registry extract is public information and a legitimate owner has no trouble showing it. Refusal = high risk.
Looking to rent?
Listings with a fraud radar and an owner-verification guide.