Fraudsters impersonating a letting agency and landlord have defrauded tenants of thousands of pounds through a rental scam in north London, using a short-term holiday let to conduct property viewings.
Two women reported losing approximately £8,000 after signing what appeared to be a legitimate tenancy agreement for a flat in Chapel Market. One attended an in-person viewing whilst the other participated via video call. Both paid a six-week deposit and three months’ rent in advance to secure the property.
Short-term let used for viewings
Upon arrival on their scheduled move-in date, the women discovered from a cleaner that the property was actually a short-term holiday rental. The individuals they dealt with, both in person and by telephone, appeared professional, with the victims stating the experience “mirrored exactly what a tenancy process looks like”.
One victim said: “I had never heard of this sort of thing happening, I didn’t understand how it could happen.”
According to reports, approximately 20 people have been defrauded using the same Chapel Market address.
Industry warning
Alison Farrar, Lead Officer for Property and Lettings at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, explained that criminals can rent properties for brief periods and schedule multiple viewings, making such scams difficult to detect. She advised renters to avoid feeling pressured, noting that legitimate landlords or agents would not rush prospective tenants into making payments.
The case has been reported to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) and referred to the Metropolitan Police. A force spokesperson confirmed receiving “multiple reports” of alleged rental fraud between January and July 2025.
The incident highlights growing concerns about rental fraud in London’s competitive lettings market, where high demand and upfront payment requirements create opportunities for sophisticated scams targeting prospective tenants.
