Is it safe to Swish a deposit to a Swedish landlord?

Never Swish a deposit to a landlord before you have signed a contract, verified the landlord's identity, and viewed the apartment. A 1 SEK Swish payment is sometimes used to verify the landlord's identity on a platform — that is fine. Sending the full deposit via Swish to an unverified private account is the single most common scam pattern for expats in Sweden.

How do I verify a Swedish landlord without BankID?

Use a platform that performs BankID verification for you: Qasa, Samtrygg, Bofrid, and Residensportalen all require landlords to verify before listing. If the landlord insists on moving off-platform to WhatsApp, Facebook, or private email, treat that as a red flag.

What if the landlord says they are abroad and cannot meet?

This is the most common script in Swedish rental scams. Legitimate landlords can always arrange a video viewing, send you to a friend in Sweden, or use a property manager. If a landlord refuses any in-person or live video contact before asking for money, do not proceed.

Is it normal to pay a deposit before signing a contract?

No. In Swedish law the deposit is only due once a written contract exists, signed by both parties, with both personnummer included. Any landlord asking for a deposit before a contract is either scamming you or misinformed — either way, do not proceed.

2026 scam patterns

Swedish Rental Scam Checker

Answer 10 quick questions about a listing and we'll tell you whether it carries the red flags that precede almost every andrahand scam in Sweden — including the Swish-the-deposit trap that hits expats hardest. No email required.

Why expats are targeted

In 2023 the Swedish police registered roughly 230 000 fraud offences nationally, and rental scams are one of the fastest-growing categories. Expats are a prime target because they typically lack BankID, can't read Swedish contracts at speed, and feel pressure to secure housing before their rental or hotel runs out. Scammers know this and play the urgency. This checklist is the same set of verifications platform trust teams run in the background — done for you, in English, in a minute.

Progress

0 / 10

1
Is the listing on a verified platform (Qasa, Samtrygg, Bofrid, Residensportalen, or Expatriate)?
2
Did the landlord first contact you through the platform's own messaging system (not WhatsApp, email, or Facebook first)?
3
Is the listed rent within ±20% of the average rent for that city and apartment size?
4
Can you arrange an in-person viewing OR a live video walkthrough before sending any money?
5
Did the landlord tell you they are currently abroad or otherwise unable to meet?
6
Were you asked to pay a deposit (or any money beyond a refundable ID-check) BEFORE signing a written contract?
7
Were you asked to pay the full deposit via Swish (not just a 1 SEK ID-verification payment)?
8
If there's a contract available, does it include both your personnummer and the landlord's (or a company registration number if it's a firm)?
9
Is the landlord BankID-verified on the platform, or otherwise willing to verify identity via BankID?
10
Does the street address match a real building on Google Maps / Street View (photos consistent with the listing)?

Want the full playbook?

The checker answers one question: is this particular listing safe? The full guide covers the underlying scam economy — who runs these ops, what scripts they use, and how to recover money if you've already paid.

Read the full scam guide →Only see verified listings — free