Meet in public first
Before visiting a flat or inviting someone to yours, meet in a public place — a café or square in central Lisbon works well. Bring a friend if you can, and tell someone where you are going.
Verify the property
- Visit in person before signing anything.
- Ask to see proof that the person offering the room actually lives there or has authority to sublet.
- Be cautious with listings that only allow remote viewings or video calls.
Verify identity
- Confirm the person's name, phone, and social presence match their profile.
- If something feels off, trust your instinct and walk away.
Never transfer money without verification
Do not send a deposit, "reservation fee", or any payment before you have seen the flat in person, met the person, and signed a rental contract you have read. Legitimate landlords and flatmates will not pressure you to pay quickly.
Common rental scams to recognise
- Absent landlord: "I'm abroad, send the deposit and I'll ship the keys." Always a scam.
- Too-good-to-be-true rent: a modern flat far below market rate, with pressure to decide immediately.
- Copied listing: photos or descriptions taken from a real estate site and reposted at a lower price.
- Off-platform payment: requests to move to a private chat, wire transfer, crypto, gift cards, or non-refundable "background check" fees.
- Fake urgency: "Ten people want it, pay today to hold it."
Use the reporting and blocking tools
Every profile, listing, and message has a safety menu. Use Report for scams, harassment, discrimination, impersonation, or inappropriate content. Use Block to stop someone from contacting you. Blocked users cannot start new conversations or invite you to a team.
Emergency disclaimer
Flatmatch is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call the European emergency number 112. To report a crime in Portugal you can contact the PSP (urban areas) or GNR (rural areas). We may cooperate with lawful requests from authorities where required.