I am looking for a flat to rent, and I found one advertised on facebook marketplace. I couldn't find the flat advertised on any of the usual websites I look for flats, which I thought was odd, but I figured might as well message and try to set up a viewing.
The landlord replied with this:
"We wanted to rent out the property the normal way, but we were very disappointed by two different persons that were not serious at all and wasted time, money for plane tickets, so we contacted Booking.com and they have a special department for long time rentals that offers both of us safety and protection, plus guarantees and insure me of any damages done to the property for the fees and taxes that i will be paying when enabling the property on their website as available for renting for unlimited period of time.
Booking.com will require confirmation which is the rental price for the first 2 months + damage refundable deposit ( which will be fully refunded when the rental contract ends ) . After these first months you will send the rent monthly directly to my personal bank account. "
Is it normal to rent out a flat longterm through booking.com for the first 2 months or is this some sort of scam?