By Arosh John, Founder, John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) | Editor-in-Chief, Thane Real Estate News (TREN)
Mumbai–MMR | December 2025
A rental scam story circulating on Instagram is alarming—and it should be a wake-up call for every tenant in Mumbai and MMR. A tenant, exhausted from home-hunting, was shown a flat in a reputed tower by a man claiming to be the “agent” and indirectly positioning himself as the “owner.” He built trust using believable personal stories, familiar faces around the building, and one powerful trigger: urgency.
“Transfer ₹1,34,000 now, keys immediately.”
The tenant paid. The next day, the so-called agent vanished—no calls, no access, no family, nothing. An FIR was filed, but the money was already gone.
Incidents like this are becoming common because rental deals move fast. People feel pressure to decide quickly. That urgency is exactly where these problems begin.
Here is my practical checklist to protect yourself while renting a home in Mumbai, Thane, or anywhere in MMR.
1) Non-Negotiable Rule: Rent + Deposit Must Go Only to the Verified Owner
Do not transfer token, rent, or security deposit to a broker, caretaker, friend, or any third-party account.
Payments should go only to:
- The verified owner’s bank account (verified via documents), after basic checks, or
- A person holding a registered Power of Attorney (POA) where a clear clause authorises them to receive rent/deposit on behalf of the owner.
If there is no registered POA with that specific authority, it is a hard no. Do not pay.
Minimum verification standard before transferring money:
- Owner name and bank account name match
- Latest electricity bill or society maintenance bill (or other reliable proof)
- Owner KYC (basic identity confirmation)
- Written terms shared on WhatsApp/email (rent, deposit, lock-in, notice, start date, charges)
2) Avoid Unverified “Fly-by-Night” Brokers: Choose a Professional, Verifiable Agent Setup
A big risk factor in rentals is dealing with people who operate without accountability—no office, no process, no documentation discipline, and no reputation trail.
A professional agent is easier to verify:
- Clear business identity and office address
- Searchable online presence (Google, maps, reviews)
- Transparent brokerage terms (shared in writing)
- Professional communication: timelines, receipts, and documented terms
- Proper coordination with the owner and society processes
A good agent cannot “guarantee” everything. However, a professional setup reduces risk and keeps your transaction clean.
3) Never Let Urgency Cancel Basic Formalities
You might be in urgent need of a home. Still, do not skip basic formalities because someone promises “fast keys.”
At minimum, ensure:
- Leave & Licence agreement is registered as required in Maharashtra
- Society’s move-in/KYC process is followed (many societies have their own procedure)
- Written confirmation of agreed terms is in place before money moves
Shortcuts are where most rental problems start.
4) Be Very Careful With “Zero Brokerage” and “No Brokerage” Claims
Never blindly trust “zero brokerage” dialogues.
In real estate, nothing meaningful is genuinely free. If a deal is marketed as free, the cost often comes back in other forms:
- Inflated rent or deposit
- Hidden charges under different names
- Pressure to pay quickly
- Payment requests to third-party accounts
It is safer to work with a professional who states clearly:
“Yes, we charge professional fees. Here is our process and documentation.”
The money you think you are saving can end up costing you far more.
5) Payments: What You Should Pay the Agent (and What You Must Not)
You should pay the agent only their professional fees/brokerage, and that too with a proper receipt or invoice.
You must not pay the agent:
- Token, rent, or deposit
- “Key handover money”
- “Owner is travelling, pay me” amounts
- Third-party UPI/bank transfers linked to rent/deposit
Society charges (move-in, NOC, shifting-related charges, parking charges, etc.) should ideally be paid directly to the society and acknowledged.
6) Always Get Written Terms Before Any Significant Payment
Before paying anything substantial, insist on a clear written message/email confirming:
- Rent, deposit, lock-in, notice period
- Possession date and key handover process
- Owner name and payment account details
- Brokerage amount and when it is payable
- List of charges (maintenance, parking, society charges, etc.)
Professionals document. Scammers avoid documentation.
7) Your Safety Checklist Before You Pay Any Token
Use this as a final quick filter:
- Verified owner name + matching bank account
- Document proof checked (latest bill/KYC)
- Written terms confirmed on WhatsApp/email
- Registered Leave & Licence planned and scheduled
- Society processes understood and followed
- No cash, no third-party transfers
- Receipts for every payment
If even one major item feels unclear—pause the deal. A genuine owner or professional agent will not object to verification.
TREN Bottom Line
Renting a home can be stressful. However, urgency should never override process. Verify ownership, keep payments clean, document everything, and complete formalities correctly. That is how you protect your money and your peace of mind.
Also READ: Property Scam Alert: How NRIs, Owners & Tenants Can Avoid Real Estate Fraud
Also READ: The Hidden Risk in Real-Estate Deals: Why Working with Unregistered Agents Can Cost You Dearly
About the Author
Arosh John is a Thane-focused real estate expert with over a decade of on-ground experience advising buyers, tenants, investors, and NRIs across Thane and the wider MMR. He is the Founder of John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) and the Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News (TREN)—a platform known for factual, process-led market coverage.
Arosh is especially recognised for his expertise in resale transactions, NRI advisory, and a deep understanding of villa and premium residential listings, where documentation, verification, and timelines require a high level of discipline. His work focuses on simplifying complex property decisions through practical education on ownership checks, compliance, negotiation structure, and clean execution, enabling clients to proceed with clarity and confidence.
Disclaimer
This article is published for consumer awareness and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, financial advice, or a substitute for professional due diligence. Real estate transactions—including rentals—carry legal and financial risks, and procedures may vary by property type, local rules, and jurisdiction. Readers should independently verify ownership, authority (including registered POA where applicable), and all documentation before making any payment or signing any document. Thane Real Estate News (TREN) does not accept liability for losses arising from reliance on this article. For case-specific guidance, consult a qualified property lawyer and complete verification through appropriate official channels before proceeding.
