Safety Tips

Discover (in the Habitiq app) helps you find rooms and flatmates. Most people you meet are genuine — but housing scams and unsafe situations are common in India, especially on WhatsApp and Facebook groups. These tips take two minutes to read and can save you money and stress.

1. Never pay before viewing

• Don't send a token amount, deposit, or rent by UPI, bank transfer, or gift card before you have visited the room in person.
• Don't accept "overpayments" and refund the difference — the original payment usually bounces.
• Get the rent, deposit, and notice period in writing before you pay anything.
• Pay only the person you have met and confirmed is the owner, the owner's representative, or a current flatmate.

2. Red flags

• Rent far below other listings in the same area
• Pressure to decide or pay today ("three others are interested")
• Refuses a video call or an in-person visit, or says they are "out of town"
• Photos that look like a hotel or stock image, or details that change between messages
• Wants to move the conversation to WhatsApp or phone straight away
• Asks for your Aadhaar, PAN, OTPs, or bank details early in the chat
• Romantic or sexual messages, or comments about your appearance

3. Keep the chat in the app

• Use in-app messaging until you have met and feel comfortable. It keeps a record and lets you report or block.
• Don't share your phone number, home address, workplace, or ID documents in early messages.
• Never share an OTP with anyone — no genuine flatmate or owner needs it.

4. Safe viewings

• Visit in daylight, and bring a friend if you can.
• Tell someone where you are going and share your live location with them.
• For a first meeting with a possible flatmate, meet somewhere public first.
• Trust your instincts — you can leave at any point.
• Check the room, water, power, locks, and who else lives there before you agree.

5. If you are listing a room

• Only list a room that is genuinely available and that you are allowed to let.
• Use your own recent photos. Don't include your flat number, invite code, or documents in photos.
• Ask to see ID at the viewing, not in chat, and follow local police-verification rules for new tenants.
• If you set a gender preference, it must not be used to exclude transgender persons.

6. Report and block

In the app, open the profile, listing, or chat and choose Report or Block. Blocking hides that person from you and stops new messages. Reports are reviewed by a person on our team. You can also email hello@habitiq.app with the subject "Safety report" and screenshots.

We may remove listings and suspend accounts that break our Terms of Service.

7. If you are in danger or have lost money

Habitiq is not an emergency service. In India, contact: