# How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams Source: https://www.luxurway.com/blog/how-to-protect-yourself-from-home-rental-fraud/scams ![Venetia Grove dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/den-4.webp)[](/rentals)[ Venetia Grove ](/venetia-grove) [Home](/)[Blog](/blog)How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams [The Houston blog](/blog) # How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams By the [Luxurway Houston team](/editorial-policy)Oct 11, 2023Reviewed Sep 26, 2026 [See furnished homes](/rentals) * **4.9** Google * **5.0** Yelp * **4.9** Airbnb SEARCH HOMES ## Search Blog for your dates. Share your check-in date. We will match you with a home. [Homes](#featured-homes)[What is rental fraud?](#section-1)[How to recognize a rental scam](#section-2)[FAQ](#guide-faq)[Guides](#related-guides) Rental scams ask for a deposit before you have verified the home and the company. Book a Luxurway home directly, confirm the written rate, and do not wire money to an unknown host. Apartments are $3300–$4250 per 30 nights. Houses range $5000–$16000 per 30 nights, utilities and Wi-Fi included. It seems to be more prevalent than ever these days: would-be home renters responding to ads for homes, giving up sometimes thousands of dollars in “deposits” only to find that the whole thing is bogus. As odd and concerning as this sounds, rental scams affect 6.4 percent of renters across the country and 4.7 percent of renters in Houston alone. Dallas tips the odds at 10.9 percent – the highest numbers of all metropolitan area in the United States. When digging into why the numbers in Dallas are so high, it is suggested that the volume of new people moving to the city likely has an impact. [A study by Apartment List](https://www.apartmentlist.com/rentonomics/how-common-is-rental-fraud-scams/) suggests that renters who are unfamiliar with local markets are at higher risk of getting caught up in a scam, as ar­­­­­e younger renters in the 18 to 29-year-old demographic. All told, the study estimates that 5.2 renters in the United States lost money in rental scams in the past year. 31.4 percent of those individuals lost more than $1000. Do the math – this is serious business – underscoring the need for great caution when seeking out rental properties. FURNISHED HOMES ## Featured homes A few furnished homes from the Houston collection. [ ![Casa Emilio kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-kitchen-04-640.webp)![Casa Emilio living room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-living-room-01-640.webp)![Casa Emilio dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-dining-room-01-640.webp)![Casa Emilio primary bedroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-primary-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Casa Emilio bedroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Casa Emilio primary bathroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/casa-emilio/casa-emilio-primary-bathroom-03-640.webp) HouseHoliday Special: $550 off per month\* ](/casa-emilio) [ Texas Medical Center Area / Bellaire / Meyerland Area ### Casa Emilio 4 bedrooms2 baths * One story * Fenced Yard * Home Office ](/casa-emilio) [ ~Regular price $250~**Holiday Special price $232 / night****$250 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. \*Move in by Nov 15, 2026. View this home](/casa-emilio) [ ![Villa Como exterior, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/villa-como/villa-como-exterior-03-640.webp)![Villa Como dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/villa-como/villa-como-dining-room-01-640.webp)![Villa Como living room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/villa-como/villa-como-living-room-01-640.webp)![Villa Como kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/villa-como/villa-como-kitchen-06-640.webp)![Villa Como exterior, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/villa-como/villa-como-exterior-02-640.webp)![Villa Como exterior, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / Meyerland, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/villa-como/villa-como-exterior-12-640.webp) HouseHoliday Special: $1000 off per month\* ](/villa-como) [ Texas Medical Center Area / Bellaire / Meyerland Area ### Villa Como 5 bedrooms3.5 baths * Two story * Private Pool * Fenced Yard ](/villa-como) [ ~Regular price $500~**Holiday Special price $467 / night****$500 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. \*Move in by Nov 15, 2026. View this home](/villa-como) [ ![Med Center Retreat living room, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-living-room-01-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat kitchen, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-kitchen-04-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat exterior, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-exterior-01-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat primary bedroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-primary-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat primary bathroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-primary-bathroom-01-640.webp)![Med Center Retreat bedroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/medical-center-retreat/medical-center-retreat-bedroom-01-640.webp) ApartmentHoliday Special: $250 off per month\* ](/medical-center-retreat) [ Texas Medical Center Area ### Med Center Retreat 2 bedrooms2 baths * Ground floor * Patio ](/medical-center-retreat) [ ~Regular price $142~**Holiday Special price $133 / night****$142 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. \*Move in by Nov 15, 2026. View this home](/medical-center-retreat) [ ![Avondale Retreat kitchen, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-kitchen-01-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat living room, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-living-room-02-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat living room, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-living-room-07-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat primary bedroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-primary-bedroom-02-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat primary bathroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-primary-bathroom-01-640.webp)![Avondale Retreat primary bathroom, furnished apartment in Texas Medical Center / Montrose, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/avondale-retreat/avondale-retreat-primary-bathroom-02-640.webp) Apartment ](/avondale-retreat) [ Texas Medical Center Area / Montrose Area ### Avondale Retreat 2 bedrooms2 baths * Ground floor * Patio ](/avondale-retreat) [ **$142 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. View this home](/avondale-retreat) [ ![Chateau Gold kitchen, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-kitchen-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold living room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-living-room-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold home office, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-home-office-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold dining room, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-dining-room-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold primary bedroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-primary-bedroom-01-640.webp)![Chateau Gold primary bathroom, furnished house in Texas Medical Center / West University, Houston — How to protect yourself from home rental fraud/scams](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-primary-bathroom-02-640.webp) House ](/chateau-gold) [ Texas Medical Center Area / West University / Southgate area ### Chateau Gold 5 bedrooms3.5 baths * Two story * Fenced Yard * Home Office ](/chateau-gold) [ **$533 / night**30+ nights minimum Plus a one-time $350 cleaning fee. View this home](/chateau-gold) Featured houses and apartments · 30+ night minimum · Confirm dates and current pricing with our team. [Browse rentals](/rentals) ## What is rental fraud? Commonly, rental fraud is perpetrated by someone [claiming to be an owner](https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ypnexthome/rental-scam_b_9643310.html), a landlord or a property manager. The person will attempt to rent a home or apartment that is either non-existent, is not theirs to rent or is vastly different than the unit that was advertised. Once the “agent” has you on the line, they will try to extract a deposit from you. In some cases, they may actually try to get you to pay the entire rent up-front. There is usually a sense of great urgency, such as being told that there are other people interested in the place or that you are going to miss out if you don’t pay up. ## How to recognize a rental scam The success of rental scams will only continue to breed more scammers. Knowing what to look out for will help keep you and your funds safe. ### Here are some red flags you should look out for: 1.     The listing does not have a photograph 2.     The rent is “too good to be true” 3.     The renter does not have a screening process or advertises no screening ### And steps you can take to avoid being scammed: ·       Always do a site visit. If it’s a scam, they will likely try to talk you out of this. Be insistent. ·       Verify the ownership of the property using public records or in the case of an apartment, by contacting the rental office directly. ·       If there are tenants in the unit, ask to speak with them. ·       Deal with reputable property management companies. ·       Never pay money in cash, via wire transfer or other electronic means. ·       Do not supply confidential information without verifying all of the above. ·       Make sure all items listed on the lease are in the unit and working before signing. ### Looking for a trustworthy housing provider in Houston? If you are looking for a rental home in Houston, Luxurway is at your service. We offer several well-appointed and conveniently located single-family homes for short or long-term rental. [Call today](/contact/) for discounted long-term rates or [browse our properties](/) to learn more about us. ## Frequently asked questions Straight answers from our Houston team. [Request a quote](/contact) ### What is a furnished Houston rental with Luxurway? A Luxurway stay is a private furnished home or apartment for 30 nights or longer, with utilities and Wi-Fi in one monthly price. You book directly with a local Houston team, not a listing-site host. Call (832) 304-3322, email Info@Luxurway.com, or send dates on the contact form. ### How is a Luxurway furnished rental different from Airbnb? Airbnb is a marketplace of hosts. A Luxurway stay is a 30-night furnished home booked directly, with utilities and Wi-Fi in one monthly price and a local Houston team. ### What is the minimum stay? Luxurway homes and apartments are for stays of 30 nights or longer. Guests can extend, subject to availability. ### How much does a furnished Houston rental cost? Each home lists its published 30-night rate. Confirm pricing for your dates with the Houston team. ### What is included in the monthly price? Furniture, bedding, towels, a full kitchen, washer and dryer, free parking (private at houses, assigned at apartments), utilities, and Wi-Fi. Housekeeping during the stay is extra. ### How do I book a furnished Houston rental? Send your check-in date on the form. Call (832) 304-3322 or email Info@Luxurway.com to share guests, neighborhood, pets, and budget. You book with Luxurway, not a listing-site host. NEXT STEP ## Find a furnished home *in Houston.* Homes and apartments for 30 nights or longer, with photos and rates. Share your dates and we will match you with a home. [Browse rentals](/rentals)[Request a quote](/contact) FROM THE BLOG ## Related guides [All blog articles](/blog) [![Kitchen of a furnished home in Houston — LUXURWAY: Furnished Apartments and Homes for Rent in Houston, TX](/media/chateau-gold/chateau-gold-kitchen-02.webp) February 10, 2025 ### LUXURWAY: Furnished Apartments and Homes for Rent in Houston, TX LUXURWAY provides a range of furnished apartments and private homes for rent, offering you a seamless, stay with utilities typically included in one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Whether you’re moving for work, business, or personal reasons, LUXURWAY offers the perfect housing solution in Houston. 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Houston Temporary Housing providers for furnished monthly rentals in Houston include CRS Temporary Housing, Sedgwick, Homelink, ALE Solutions, and the Temporary Housing Directory (THD) for temporary housing in Houston. Call 832-304-3322 or Email Info@Luxurway.com for availability and pricing for furnished apartments and homes in Houston. Read article](/blog/houston-temporary-housing-guide-furnished-monthly-rentals-and-short-term-rentals) [Previous articleWhy Patients Choose MD Anderson](/blog/houstons-md-anderson-medical-center)[Next articleMD Anderson’s New Research Center brings talent needing MD Anderson housing](/blog/md-anderson-cancer-centers-new-research-center) [Explore Houston Extended Stay](/houston-extended-stay)[Browse rentals](/rentals)