How to verify a landlord or rental listing online
Verify landlords and rental listings before you apply with tips on badges, contact searches, addresses, ownership proof, live tours, and platform tools today.
Verifying a landlord or listing before you apply or hand over any money is a basic but important step. Here's how to do it.
Check for Platform Verification Badges
On platforms like liv.rent, landlords who have submitted government-issued ID are marked as ID-verified. Listings that have been confirmed against official documents or verified by mail carry a listing-verified badge. These badges mean the platform has done a baseline check, so look for them before engaging with a landlord.
Search the Landlord's Name and Contact Details
A quick search of the landlord's name, phone number, or email address can surface warning signs. If the same contact details appear in scam reports, complaint forums, or on platforms other than where you found the listing, proceed with caution.
Verify the Property Address
Look up the property address on Google Maps to confirm it exists and matches the photos in the listing. Check whether the building type and neighbourhood match what's described. If the listing claims to be a two-bedroom condo in a specific neighbourhood but the address maps to a commercial building or empty lot, it's a red flag.
Request Proof of Ownership or Authority to Rent
A legitimate landlord should be able to provide proof that they own the property or have authority to rent it. This can include a property tax document, a land title document, or a management agreement if they're acting on behalf of an owner. You don't need to demand this upfront, but if anything feels uncertain, it's a reasonable ask.
Meet in Person or via Verified Video Call
Before signing anything, meet the landlord in person at the property or conduct a live video call where they can show you the unit in real time. A landlord who refuses to meet in person or show the unit live (and instead relies entirely on pre-recorded videos or photos) is worth treating with caution.
Trust the Platform's Tools
Using a platform with built-in verification removes much of the guesswork. liv.rent's ID verification process confirms a landlord's identity before their listing goes live, and its unique contract verification system at verify.liv.rent lets you confirm that any lease you receive is genuine.