Verify
Check the verified badge, the listing's age, and ask for the title deed and permits before you visit.
Safety
Stay safe on Aqarna
Buying or renting a property is one of the largest financial decisions you'll make. These guidelines, drawn from established real-estate marketplace practice, help you spot risk early, verify what matters, and keep your money and personal data protected.
Keep the conversation on Aqarna
Every message, listing context and document you exchange here is logged automatically — that record is your first line of defence if a dispute arises. Moving the deal to WhatsApp or another app loses that trail, which is exactly what scammers ask you to do.
Find the listing to reportFour steps to safety
Visit
Tour during daylight, with someone you trust, and confirm the address on the map before you leave.
Pay safely
Never wire money before signing in person at a notary. Pay in stages and keep every receipt.
Report
Report messages from inside the chat, and listings with the "Report listing" button on the listing page.
Before you visit — verify
Most real-estate fraud falls apart before you ever step inside the property if you run a simple checklist:
- Look for the verified badge ✓ — verified accounts have confirmed phone, email, and ID.
- Read the full listing. The title deed number or building permit, area, price, city and district should be specific and consistent.
- Drop the location pin into Google Maps and check Street View — the photos and description should match the actual address.
- Ask the owner before visiting: a copy of the title deed, the latest property-tax certificate, and the building permit (for apartments).
- Compare the price against three nearby listings on Aqarna. A price 30% below market is a warning sign, not an opportunity.
- Don't share your national ID or passport in chat until you're confident the other party is genuine.
At the viewing — on the ground
The viewing is your chance to confirm the listing matches reality. Take it seriously:
- Visit during daylight — natural light makes damp, cracks and finishing issues much easier to spot.
- Bring a friend or family member, especially for first viewings. Send the address and ETA to someone you trust.
- Inspect: walls for damp and cracks, electrics, water pressure, AC units, balcony rails, parking, building security.
- Ask the owner directly: how long they've owned the property, why they're selling, and whether there are any structural issues or legal disputes.
- Don't hand cash to any 'agent' who can't show a written authorization from the owner or a licensed brokerage.
- Photograph the meter readings and the main rooms. These photos protect you if a dispute comes up later.
Before you pay — your money
This is the stage where most people get caught out. Treat these as hard rules:
- Never wire money before signing in person at a notary or a registered conveyancer.
- Hire a lawyer or notary to review the sale or lease agreement before you sign — their fee is small relative to the deal size.
- Pay in stages: a 5–10% reservation against a written receipt, 50–70% on signing, and the balance at land-registry transfer.
- Confirm the bank account is in the seller's exact legal name — match it letter-for-letter against the title deed and ID.
- Get a written, signed receipt for every payment, naming the amount, date, property reference, and bank details.
- For larger amounts, use a bank transfer rather than cash. Keep the SWIFT or transfer reference as legal evidence.
Red flags — don't ignore these
If you spot any of these patterns, stop dealing immediately and report the user to our team. These are recurring scam playbooks:
- Pressure to pay a 'reservation fee' before the viewing or before seeing the deed.
- Owner is 'abroad' and can only complete the deal via wire transfer.
- Listing photos are watermarked or visibly pulled from another website.
- The seller refuses to share the title-deed number or the building permit, with vague excuses.
- Insistence on moving the conversation to WhatsApp or Telegram instead of finishing on Aqarna.
- Asking for a copy of your ID or banking details before you've even visited.
- Prices well below comparable listings (–30% or more) with no convincing reason.
- An unverified account pushing for a fast deposit before any meeting.
Document checklist before you pay
These are documents you should see in person, or as notarised copies — don't accept chat photos as proof on their own.
For sale
- Title deed in the seller's full legal name
- Latest property-tax certificate (current year)
- Building permit or floor plans for apartments
- National ID or residency permit matching the deed name
- Notarised power of attorney if the seller is an agent
- No-objection letter from the homeowners' association (compounds)
For rent
- Owner's ID matching the title deed
- Title deed proving the lessor is the actual owner
- Recent utility bill (proves occupancy)
- A draft tenancy contract before any payment
- Signed receipt for every payment with the owner's bank details
How to report — and what happens next
Whether you suspect a listing, a message, or an account, reporting it protects everyone else. Our handling is fast and confidential:
- For a listing: open the listing page, tap "Report listing" and pick a reason. Our moderators review every report.
- Inside chats: open the message menu (⋮) and pick "Report message".
- For physical-safety emergencies, contact the police or local authorities first.
- For fraud, impersonation, or disputes, email [email protected] — we respond to verified safety reports within 24 hours.
Need help right now?
Our safety team is ready to look at your case. If something feels urgent, don't wait.