6 Ways to Avoid Common Rental Scams

Quick ways to add value to your property

The rental market is incredibly competitive right now. There’s limited rental inventory, and people are clamoring to find places all over the country. Unfortunately, along with this increased demand and high level of competition among renters also comes an uptick in scams.

Unscrupulous people are taking advantage of desperate renters, so what can you do to protect yourself?

Below are six ways to avoid being the victim of a rental scam.

1. Avoid Using Cash

One of the easiest ways for a lot of scammers to operate is with cash. It’s difficult to trace where cash comes from, so some criminals tend to like working with it.

If you think you’re paying a deposit for a rental, for example, and you hand over cash, the person can disappear. There’s not a lot you can do at that point.

Even a bad landlord who does legitimately rent out housing might insist that you pay cash, which you should avoid.

Along with cash, anything that involves a wire transfer should be a red flag.

2. Meet in Person

One of the biggest red flags as far as finding a rental is if the person who posted the listing says they can’t or don’t want to meet you in person. Even if there’s a legitimate reason you can’t meet in person, they should be able to do a video walk-through of the property so you can see it.

A quality landlord is going to find a way to meet with you in person, ideally, and if not, digitally.

The landlord should want to meet you for their own protection, too—they want to make sure they can trust their renters.

A scammer, of course, isn’t going to want to meet you because they don’t want you to be able to identify them if you end up reporting them.

3. Don’t Rush to Move-In

It could be that you do meet someone in person who says they’re a landlord, but there can still be red flags to watch for. Namely, they might want you to move in quickly without seeing the property.

Don’t send any money or sign anything until you see the inside of the property.

You might find a listing and the supposed landlord tells you to have a look around the outside, but they don’t give any indication of how you can see the inside—this is a problem.

Unfortunately, when people need a place to live immediately, they’re most likely to fall victim to this trap.

4. Make Sure the Listing Isn’t Too Good to Be True

If you come across a listing and it seems amazing, but it’s also priced significantly below the market rate in your area, know that there’s a very high likelihood it’s a scam.

Sometimes, the scam is a bait and switch, meaning the owner uses a low rent price to lure you in. Then, they take the listing off the market and replace it with one that’s similar but significantly more expensive.

Of course, finding a good doesn’t always mean it’s a scam, but most things that seem too good to be true are.

5. Know the Dos and Don’ts

Some general dos and don’ts as a renter include:

  • Do learn how scammers operate
  • Do get a copy of the terms of the rental in writing, including rent, fees, and maintenance
  • Do get a copy of the lease signed by you and the property owner or manager
  • Do search the owner or real estate management company and listing. If you see the same listing under a different name, that’s likely a problem.
  • Don’t wire money as a deposit or pay the first and last month’s rent. Wiring money is the same as sending cash.
  • Don’t give in to pressure tactics.
  • Don’t rent anything that you can’t see before you sign an agreement.
  • Don’t send money for rentals overseas.

Don’t give your personal information, like your Social Security number, to a property owner without verifying their identity first.

6. Follow Your Gut

Finally, if you’re in a situation where something seems off about a rental, it’s almost always best to follow your gut. If you think something isn’t right, there’s probably a very good reason for that.
It’s better to take your time finding a rental and perhaps even pass some options over if they don’t seem right to you rather than potentially being the victim of a scammer.

 

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

Restoring the Past: How to Expertly Repair Wooden Windows with PM Windows Ltd

Why Wooden Windows Deserve a Second Life Wooden windows are a hallmark of classic British architecture, offering timeless beauty, warmth, and craftsmanship rarely matched by modern alternatives. Whether adorning a Georgian townhouse or a Victorian terrace, their charm lies in both their aesthetics and their heritage value. However, timber windows are not immune to the…
Read More
Breaking News

Slight rise in house prices as market maintains strength

Halifax House Price Index • House prices increased by +0.3% in April vs -0.5% in March • Average property price now £297,781 compared to £296,899 in previous month • Annual rate of growth at +3.2% up from +2.9% in March • House prices remarkably stable over last six months, down by just £48 • Northern…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Industry Reacts to Bank Rate Cut

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark: “Today’s news will no doubt be extremely welcome for many, especially given current economic uncertainties. International bodies have recently stated they expect interest rates to fall in the UK as the year progresses. Overall, we hope to see interest rates further continue their downward trajectory over the course of 2025. …
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove reaction to Bank Rate cut

Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert says: “The much-anticipated second rate cut of the year has arrived, and with some lenders having taken their time to pass on the benefits of the expected Bank Rate cut, I think we may now see further reductions in the coming days and weeks. A fresh round of mortgage rate…
Read More
Breaking News

Zoopla crowns Glenrothes the most popular affordable town for families as one in three fear being priced out of their ideal area

New Zoopla research pinpoints Glenrothes in Scotland, with an average three-bedroom home value of £136,900, as the most attractive option for families seeking affordability All of the towns in the top ten are located in Scotland and Wales, apart from Dartford and Swanley in the South East Three-bed homes in the most popular affordable towns…
Read More
Breaking News

UK government admits almost no evidence nature protections block development

Environmental lawyer says it’s deeply frustrating that the Government is pushing major changes to conservation law without supporting data or research Whitehall analysis provides no data or research to support the government argument that environmental legislation holds up building. Ministers say the new bill will speed up housing developments and large infrastructure projects by allowing…
Read More