I’ve booked private rentals in countries around the world, from Mexico to Norway to Australia.
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I’ve learned a thing or two about finding great listings, which normally involves digging deep into reviews. If I want to be really thorough, I’ll look for reviews from specific types, too, like Dutch and German travelers. I also look for keywords in the reviews to identify my biggest no-nos, like noise and uncomfortable beds.
I’ve also learned a few hard lessons about booking private rentals along the way… including being scammed out of a very pretty penny on a fake Airbnb in Barcelona. Aside from direct scams, I’ve fielded other issues, like construction noise, hot tubs that don’t actually work, and pleas to ‘tell the neighbors I’m just a friend staying in town for a few days’.
Here’s the truth: You face hidden risks when booking private rentals anywhere, including your own hometown. But full-on scams and even minor inconveniences tend to be more difficult to handle abroad—and they’re even more of a headache.
These are the hidden risks to look for when booking rentals in other countries, whether on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking, or another platform. I’ve also included advice on how to protect yourself from each possible mishap.
Before I jump in, here’s my pro tip: Document everything, even if it seems inconsequential. Take photos of the problem, take screenshots of your host’s replies, and so on. Go full detective mode if something seems off. It probably is.
Common hidden risks when booking private rentals in other countries
Risk #1: Fake listings
Unfortunately, private rental platforms are home to fake listings that are designed to lure you in. They have professional photos, a setup that looks realistic for the area, and a price that seems very reasonable. Why wouldn’t you be interested? And, even more importantly, how can you verify whether a listing is real?
How to protect yourself: Always look through reviews. Fake listings don’t last long on any platform, as they won’t accrue reviews. When you see a too-good-to-be-true listing with no reviews, think twice. Aside from reviews, click on the host and look into them. You should see their other listings, hosting history, and other details. Vet them. And reach out before you book the listing if you’re suspicious. A real host will go the distance to verify that they’re real.
Risk #2: Weird payment requests (phishing scams)
Fake payment requests are a form of phishing. You might receive them via phone call, text, or email. Usually, the payment requests are very bland, asking you to click on a link to verify your identity or to complete a payment for a listing you want to book. These requests are sometimes labeled as urgent, meaning you might be tempted to click and pay without double-checking.
How to protect yourself: Private rental platforms use secure payment portals directly on the website. You will never be prompted to complete a payment via phone, text, or email. If there is some issue with your account on a private rental site, you will handle that from the platform after logging in.
Risk #3: Last-minute switches
Hosts who have multiple private rentals might intercept you right before you check in, telling you that your rental isn’t available. This might be due to maintenance, for example. Then, you’ll be offered another accommodation…. Usually, one that’s a little shabbier than what you signed up for.
How to protect yourself: These situations are difficult because maintenance hiccups do happen—and responsible hosts should give you another lodging option for last-minute changes. However, I recommend documenting the issue, cancelling your booking, and finding a hotel for the night. Last-minute switches are usually a sign of a scam, meaning your original booking might not actually exist. It could be a bait-and-switch.
Risk #4: Illegal listings
Cities around the world are cracking down on private rentals. Not all hosts have the correct licensing to host an Airbnb. You could have your booking canceled at the last minute (with no recourse), you might run into unfriendly neighbors who want to make your trip difficult, and so on.
How to protect yourself: Before you book a private rental, look up whether or not it’s legal in your destination. If it isn’t, book a hotel. If it is, look for license and registration numbers in the profile. The big risk here is that illegal listings can be taken down at any time, and hosts are under no obligation to refund you in that case.
Risk #5: Going off-platform
Similar to phishing scams, like off-platform payment requests, any off-platform link should be avoided. Let’s say you reserve a rental on Airbnb or Booking, then receive a link via text or email to adjust or verify your booking. The email and link might look legitimate, but if they’re off-platform, they’re a risk.
How to protect yourself: Think twice before you click on any links about a recent private rental booking you made. You should receive a confirmation email… and that’s it. To reiterate: Your booking might require further attention, but you will always securely log in to a platform before making any changes, payments, or updates to your rental.
Risk #6: Language barriers
It’s not going to put you in danger, but language barriers can cause friction when you travel. Earlier this year, for example, I stayed at an Airbnb in the French Pyrenees and had a little mishap when my host set up a gas tank in the kitchen, which was leaking. It took me a while to convince her in pidgin French that the tank wasn’t set up correctly. We figured it out, but I almost needed to bust out Google Translate.
How to protect yourself: Have Google Translate at the ready. In the example above, the host and I worked together to figure out the problem. Some hosts aren’t quite as helpful, so make sure you come prepared.
Risk #7: Infrastructure
There are two consistent risks I’ve run into when it comes to booking private rentals in other countries. The first is when I plan to get some work done, then find that the Wi-Fi connection is… dazzlingly slow. The second is backroads that are hard to navigate in a rental car. Last year, I had a tire pop on a bumpy dirt road in Sicily. (Which was absolutely not caused by my partner deciding to teach me the fundamentals of drifting.) (We wouldn’t.)
How to protect yourself: If you need to work on reliable Wi-Fi, check the reviews—and ask your host about speeds. If you’re heading to a rural rental, check on road quality. In short, look closely at the rental from a range of angles, especially those that are most important to you.
