How do I know if an apartment listing is legitimate?

Check for a city registration number, confirm the exact address, keep payment on the platform, and read recent reviews. Ask the host a specific question about the building; a vague or rushed answer is a warning sign.

Should I pay a deposit outside the booking platform?

No. Paying by bank transfer or a payment app removes the platform protection and is a common scam pattern. Keep all payments and messages inside the platform unless you have verified the host independently.

Are cleaning fees always charged?

Many short-term rentals charge one, and it is usually shown before checkout. Compare the total price including fees, not the nightly rate, and check whether the fee changes for longer stays.

What should I do if the key does not work on arrival?

Call the host first and document the time. If there is no answer within a reasonable period, contact the platform support while you are still outside, and keep receipts for any alternative accommodation you need.

Apartment Stay Checklist Before You Pay

A short-term flat can give you a kitchen, a neighbourhood, and more space than a hotel for the same money. It can also give you a fake listing, a key that does not work, or a cleaning fee that appears at checkout. The difference is usually five checks made before you pay.

Bright modern living room with large windows and a city view — FIG Photo: Pexels.

Check that the listing is allowed

Many cities regulate short-term rentals. Some require a registration number to be displayed in the listing, and some ban entire-home rentals in certain districts. Look for the registration number and check it against the city's official register. A listing without one may be removed, and your booking with it.

If the host cannot tell you the registration number or the building's rules on short stays, treat that as a warning. The cheapest flat is not cheap if the trip ends with a cancelled reservation and a last-minute hotel.

Confirm the exact address before paying

Platforms sometimes show only a neighbourhood until you book. Ask the host for the street and the nearest cross street, then check it on a map against the places you plan to visit. A flat described as "central" can be a forty-minute walk from the centre.

Look at the building entrance on street view and check for stairs. A fifth-floor walk-up with suitcases is a different stay from a flat with a lift, and the listing photo may not show either.

Understand the check-in before you arrive

Ask exactly how you get the key: a person, a lockbox, a code, or a building concierge. Get the code or the meeting point in writing, and save a screenshot in case the app loses signal. If the host requires a photo of your ID, ask why and how it will be stored.

Confirm the check-in window. A self-check-in at any hour is useful for late flights; a host who must meet you at 15:00 sharp is not. If your arrival is delayed, you need a phone number that answers.

Wooden dining table and chairs in a modern apartment kitchen — FIG Photo: Pexels.

Price the fees, not the nightly rate

Short-term rentals often add a cleaning fee, a service fee, and a deposit. Add them to the nightly rate and compare the total for your dates with a hotel. A flat that looks cheaper for one night can cost more for five once the cleaning fee is spread over the stay.

Check the cancellation policy line by line. Some listings offer a full refund only within 48 hours of booking, which is not useful if you book months ahead.

Read the reviews for the problems photos hide

Noise from the street, a bar, or a construction site.
Heating or air conditioning that does not cope with the season.
Weak wifi, especially if you need to work.
Check-in delays or a host who stops responding.
Cleanliness and the state of the kitchen and bathroom.

Sort reviews by newest first and read the three-star ones, which usually describe the real trade-offs. A listing with only five-star reviews and no detail is less informative than one with a few honest complaints.

Keep the payment on the platform

If a host asks you to pay by bank transfer, a payment app, or cash before arrival, stop. Paying outside the platform removes the protection you are relying on. The US Federal Trade Commission describes common rental listing scams at consumer.ftc.gov, including fake listings copied from real ones.

If you are choosing between a flat and a hotel, compare the service you actually want. Our guide to hostel or hotel for a first trip covers the simpler options.