How to Spot NYC Sublet and Sublease Scams

Introduction

In NYC, the golden rule is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, move on.

Red Flags

1. Suspicious Language: If the lister is asking you to send a screenshot of the post in their DMs, that’s a scam. If a lister says the move-in and move-out dates are super flexible (specifically “can be short or long term”), that’s probably a scam. Look out for ChatGPT-like text blurbs about the neighborhood that a normal person would never write. You’ll notice these patterns naturally as you see more and more posts. See the section below for some examples of scam posts.

2. Stupidly Low Rent: This is the most common one people fall for. Try to be familiar with the typical rents for each neighborhood — if you’re not sure, check out the Streeteasy Data Dashboard. If you’re seeing a studio or a 1bd/1ba that’s $1,600 / mo in Lower Manhattan, that’s a scam.

3. Odd Photo Quality: If the photos have exceptionally bad quality, that’s a red flag. Alternatively, if the photos are of the apartment in a sterile / new condition, this can also be a red flag (though not always) — ask for recent photos of the apartment with its current furnishings and/or roommates.

4. Refusal to Meet: If the lister avoids meeting in person or has constant excuses—like being out of town or dealing with emergencies—move on.

5. Payment Before Viewing: If a lister asks you to send money before visiting the place, move on. Never send money before seeing the place in person. It’s normal to share general financial info like income or credit score, but never give out sensitive details like your Social Security number or bank account info.

Examples of Scam Posts

Example 1: Red Flags

• "fully furnished 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom" or a fully furnished studio is commonly used with scammers since they're so desirable.
• Most scammers will use a price of around $1600 for a 1bd/1ba to draw people in, but this one was particularly egregious, with a price of $1200. This does not exist in Manhattan.
• Generally very weird text and phrases being used: "A unique fusion of convenience", "Very working"
• "available for short or long term" is almost always a red flag. Listers will usually have strict timelines for their own convenience.

Example 2: Red Flags

• Again, a "furnished studio"
• A studio in Chelsea priced at $2500 does not exist. You can check the Streeteasy Data Dashboard to learn more about how studios are generally priced in an area.
• The weird AI-like description of Chelsea as a neighborhood.
• This is more niche, but posts with the structure of first line "Furnished Apartment", second line "Address", and third line "Price" are almost always scams. You'll notice this with the more posts you sort through.

Example 3: Red Flags

• Again, we see "a flexible short to long-term rental, with terms ranging from a minimum of one month to a maximum of twelve months." This never exists.
• Beware of anything that seems too good to be true. "fully furnished, featuring a cozy queen-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchen, and in-building laundry facilities with a washer and dryer." Don't trust any apartment that promises to have everything - if it's real, you'll feel it from the price tag.
• This is all sealed with a $1950 rent tag - there is no fully furnished, flexible term studio in the LES for just $1950/mo.