As the new academic year approaches, interest in the rental market traditionally rises in Kazakhstan's major cities, and scammers are ready with their tricks, reports infohub.kz.
From August to September, Kazakhstan typically sees a surge in housing market activity. This is due to a large number of applicants starting to look for apartments in big cities. Often they lack experience, and scammers are quick to take advantage. Let's look at the most common rental fraud schemes in Kazakhstan.
One of the most widespread tricks is fake listings on online platforms and social media. These stand out with prices 20–30% below market rates. Seeing a good deal with attractive photos, Kazakhstanis contact the "landlord." Under some pretext, scammers ask for a deposit, claiming many people want to rent the apartment. To convince the victim, they may send photos of documents (ID, sale contract, etc.), but these are either downloaded from the internet or obtained fraudulently from real landlords. After sending the money, the victim finds the apartment either occupied or nonexistent.
Another popular trick is "double rental," where the same apartment is rented to multiple tenants. Scammers rent the property daily, then show it and close deals with several victims. After receiving a month's rent and a deposit from each, they disappear. Renters are left without money and without housing.
Unscrupulous realtors are equally dangerous. They promise help finding housing and force clients to sign a contract with upfront payment. In the end, clients simply receive a list of numbers downloaded from listings sites, and they have to handle all negotiations themselves.
It's also important to beware of dishonest landlords: they may raise the price after move-in, demand extra payments, or provoke a conflict to terminate the contract without returning the deposit or prepaid funds.
To avoid falling victim, renters should follow strict safety rules. First, don't pay upfront: never agree to an advance or prepayment for "reservation." Payment for realtor services should only be made after services are provided and a receipt issued. Second, inspect the property and documents in person: view the apartment, request an ID and a certificate of registered rights (encumbrances) on the property (Form-2), which can be obtained via bank apps and eGov Mobile. Third, sign a rental agreement that includes personal details of both parties, transaction terms (payment amounts, liability for property, rights, etc.), and a handover certificate with a detailed description of the property.
Landlords can also fall victim to fraud or even become unwitting accomplices in schemes like double rentals. Therefore, both parties should be interested in signing a rental agreement—it protects their interests and helps avoid unpleasant consequences.