Safety tips — rent without getting scammed

For renters (and people hiring vehicles)

• Always inspect in person first. See the house or vehicle with your own eyes before paying anything. Photos can be old or misleading.
• Never send money before viewing. No genuine owner needs a deposit or "booking fee" transferred before you've even seen the property or met them.
• Be wary of prices that are too good. A Colombo 7 house at a Maharagama price is a classic bait. If it feels too cheap, it usually is.
• Verify the owner. Confirm they actually own or are authorised to rent the place. Ask for ID and proof of ownership for long leases.
• Get everything in writing. Rent, advance/key money, deposit, who pays utilities, notice period, and (for vehicles) the deposit refund timeline, mileage and insurance — all agreed in a signed document.
• Use traceable payments. Prefer bank transfers with a reference over cash, and keep receipts.
• Don't rush. "Someone else is about to take it — pay now to hold it" is a pressure tactic. A real owner will let you view it.

For owners (listing a house or vehicle)

• Meet renters in person and verify their identity (NIC) before handing over keys.
• Take a refundable deposit and document the condition of the property or vehicle with date-stamped photos at handover.
• Put the agreement in writing and keep a signed copy. Spell out the rules, payment dates and what's included.
• For vehicles, record fuel level, mileage and existing scratches at pickup and return — your best defence against disputes.
• Never share OTPs or banking passwords. No genuine renter needs them.

Red flags to walk away from

• Refusal to let you view the property/vehicle in person.
• Requests for a deposit via gift cards, crypto, or an "agent" you can't verify.
• Owner who is "overseas" and can't meet but wants money wired urgently.
• Pressure, secrecy, or a deal that keeps changing.

How FastRent.lk protects you

Every listing is human-reviewed and the owner's payment verified before it goes live, and listings auto-expire in 5 days so you never deal with stale ads. We don't take commission and we never sell your contact details. If something looks wrong, report it to us and we'll investigate.