Safety tips

Most people on RentBee are exactly who they say they are. These habits protect you from the few who are not.

Never pay before a viewing

  • Do not send a deposit, a reservation fee or the first month’s rent before you have viewed the room in person and met the owner or their representative.
  • Refuse to pay through money transfer services, crypto, vouchers or gift cards. Those payments are almost impossible to get back.
  • Pay by bank transfer to an account in the landlord’s name, and get a signed receipt for anything you pay in cash.

Spot the usual scams

  • The rent is far below similar rooms nearby.
  • The owner is “abroad” and will send the keys by courier once you pay.
  • You are pushed to decide today because “many other people are interested”.
  • You are asked to move to another app straight away, or sent a link to a “booking” site that wants your card details.
  • The photos look like a hotel or show up in other listings. A reverse image search takes a minute.

Viewings

  • Agree on the time and place in your RentBee messages, so you have a written record.
  • Go in daylight if you can, take a friend or tell someone where you are going.
  • Check that the room matches the photos, and test the water, heating, windows, locks and internet.
  • If you will share the home, meet the people you will live with.

Check who owns the property

  • Ask to see the title deed (нотариален акт) and compare the owner’s name with their ID card.
  • You can also confirm the owner with a search in the Property Register (Имотен регистър) of the Registry Agency.
  • If someone rents the place out for the owner, ask for a notarised power of attorney (пълномощно).
  • If you rent from a tenant, ask for the owner’s written consent to sublet.

Put it in writing

  • Sign a written lease that names both parties and states the rent, the deposit, what is included, the term and the notice period.
  • When you move in, sign a handover protocol (приемо-предавателен протокол) recording the condition of the room, furniture and appliances, the meter readings and photos.
  • Keep a copy of everything you sign and of every payment.
Rental agreement and handover protocol templates →

Keep the conversation on RentBee

  • Messages on RentBee are a record if something goes wrong, and they let us act on a report.
  • Do not share a copy of your ID card, your personal number (ЕГН) or bank details before you get to signing the lease.

Report and block

  • If a listing or a person seems wrong, report it from the listing or the profile. Reports are confidential.
  • Block someone from their profile or a conversation to stop them messaging you.

In an emergency

If you are in danger, call 112. It is free and works anywhere in Bulgaria. If a scammer has taken your money, tell your bank and the police straight away.

Call 112