Safety centre
NyumbaUG connects buyers and sellers — but the transaction itself happens in the real world. Use these practices to keep yourself safe.
Six rules of thumb
Always view a property in person before paying
If a seller refuses an in-person viewing or rushes you, treat it as a red flag. Bring a friend or family member when you visit.
Look for the verification badge
Listings with a lawyer-verified badge have had their ownership documents checked by one of our partner lawyers. Verification is based on paperwork (plus a site visit at the higher level). It doesn't guarantee a clean title, the property's condition or the outcome of any deal. See below for exactly what is checked.
Don't send money to a stranger before viewing
No legitimate seller needs a deposit, application fee, or security charge before you've seen the property. Mobile-money cash transfers are unrecoverable — be especially cautious there.
Keep conversations on NyumbaUG when you can
In-app messages give us a record if anything goes wrong. WhatsApp and direct calls are fine, but a paper trail in our messaging system protects both sides.
Report scams immediately
If a listing or user seems fraudulent, use the Report button. We review reports and remove confirmed scams. You can also email nyumbaug1@gmail.com.
Verify phone numbers before deposits
Call the seller. If a number is dead or doesn't match the listing, walk away. A 30-second call has saved a lot of people a lot of money.
Red flags to watch for
- Price is dramatically below market
- "Owner is abroad" — keys arrive after a deposit
- Refusal to share the exact address until payment
- Pressure to pay today
- Photos look stock-image perfect or appear elsewhere online
- Phone number doesn't accept calls, only WhatsApp messages
What verification actually means
When you see a verification badge on a listing, here's exactly what was reviewed, who reviewed it, and (just as important) what NyumbaUG does not guarantee.
Lawyer verified
Checked by an independent partner lawyer.
What's checked
- The seller is the legal owner, or is authorised to list the property.
- The ownership document (title deed, share certificate or sale agreement) is present, legible and matches the seller's ID.
- The address on the document matches the listing's location.
- The listing photos are consistent with the documented property.
- No dispute, caveat or encumbrance was disclosed.
- The seller's phone and email were reached independently.
Lawyer verified, with a site visit
Everything above, plus:
- The lawyer visits and inspects the property in person.
- Utility records (water, power) are checked against the address.
- A quick check with neighbours or the local community raised no concerns.
Both levels come with a public certificate code (VRF-XXXXX) that anyone can look up at /verification.
What verification does NOT guarantee
Verification is a documentation review — not legal advice and not an insurance policy. Even on a verified listing:
- We don't guarantee the title is free of disputes, caveats, or competing claims at the Lands Office.
- We don't guarantee the physical condition or structural soundness of the property.
- We don't hold money in escrow, validate transactions, or refund deposits if a deal falls through.
- We don't verify what happens after the badge is issued; a property's status can change at any time.
- A badge lasts a year, and it's removed earlier if the seller changes the title, price, type or location.
Do your own due diligence. Engage your own lawyer for the title search and the sale agreement, visit the property in person, and never pay anything before you have.
What the Verified user badge means
The Verified user badge (a blue circle with a tick) next to a seller's name is about the person, not the listing.
What we check
The seller's National ID or passport, and a short live-camera selfie, which the NyumbaUG team checks by hand. The documents stay with NyumbaUG.
What it means
The account belongs to a real, named person, nothing more. It doesn't mean we've reviewed their listings, that they own what they advertise, or that they have a good track record.
Our disclaimers
- Every listing is an advert
- This listing is an advert placed by an independent seller or agent. NyumbaUG puts buyers and sellers in touch; we are not part of any sale or rental, and we don't check every claim in a listing. Always visit the property, check the documents yourself (ideally with your own lawyer) and read the Safety Centre before you pay anything.
- What a verification badge means
- A partner lawyer checked the ownership documents the seller uploaded against this listing. At the higher level, the lawyer also visited the property. Verification is not a guarantee of clean title, current ownership or freedom from disputes, and it can go out of date. Do your own checks before you buy or rent.
- When you contact a seller
- NyumbaUG only puts you in touch with the seller. We're not part of any deal, we never hold your money and we can't guarantee the outcome. Meet in safe places, check the documents yourself and never pay before you've seen the property.
- Paid placement
- Promoted, Featured and Top of search are paid for by the seller and are labelled as such. Paying for visibility says nothing about the property; only the silver or gold "Lawyer verified" shield does.
Found a scam?
Reporting takes one click and helps the next person. Use the Report button on any listing or seller profile, or contact us directly.