How to Spot Fake PG Reviews and Avoid Rental Scams
Key Takeaways
Ignore the 5-star ratings and go straight to the 1-star and 3-star reviews. Look for patterns about deposit withholding, bad food, or rude management. Never pay a booking amount without physically visiting the PG.
The Illusion of a 5-Star PG
When searching for a PG online, you rely heavily on reviews. But the reality of the PG market is that online ratings are easily manipulated. A terrible PG can boast a 4.5-star rating, masking severe management issues, pest problems, or deposit theft.
Before you book that PG in Marathahalli or that PG in Velachery based purely on its Google rating, learn how to read between the lines.
How to Spot Fake Positive Reviews
1. The "Too Perfect" Review
If a review reads like a marketing brochure ("The ambient lighting and gourmet meals create a paradigm of luxury living"), it's likely fake. Real tenants complain about the WiFi speed, mention the food is "decent but repetitive," and write like normal people.
2. The Review Spikes
Look at the dates of the reviews. If a PG received twenty 5-star reviews in a single weekend and nothing for months before or after, the owner likely bought those reviews or forced current tenants to write them en masse.
3. Deposit Extortion
A very common tactic: PG owners will withhold the security deposit until the tenant stands in front of them and posts a 5-star Google review. This artificially inflates the rating of terrible properties.
How to Read Reviews Like a Pro
- Ignore the 5s, Read the 1s and 3s: The 1-star reviews will tell you what the worst-case scenario is. The 3-star reviews are usually the most honest, highlighting both the good (e.g., "location is great") and the bad (e.g., "warden is rude").
- Look for Patterns: If one person complains about a rat, it might be an isolated incident. If six people over six months complain about bedbugs or stolen deposits, believe them.
The "Token Advance" Scam
Reviews aren't the only trap. The most common PG scam in India targets desperate house-hunters.
You find an amazing listing for a budget PG in Hyderabad that looks too good to be true. You call the number, and the "manager" says the room is in huge demand and you must pay a ₹2,000 "token advance" via UPI immediately to lock it down before you visit.
Never do this. Once you send the money, the number is blocked. The photos were likely stolen from a different property. Always visit the physical location and verify the owner's identity before transferring a single rupee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do bad PGs have 5-star ratings?
Owners often pressure tenants to leave 5-star reviews to get their security deposit back, or they create fake accounts to boost their ratings artificially.
What is the most common PG online scam?
The token advance scam. A "manager" asks you to pay a ₹2,000 token fee via UPI to "reserve" a highly-demanded room before you even visit. Once paid, they block your number.