Online rental booking provides a foundation for the scammers to capitalise on tenants. One of the most common scams is- taking deposits without the intention of renting the apartment.
If you pay additional funds, you never get the balance back. Thus, you must be aware of such scams while renting a house. The blog lists some common rental scams that you must avoid while renting. The first thing to do here is to check the authenticity of the landlord. It is essential to pick the most reliable landlord from the pool to avoid scams.
How do you check the legitimacy of the landlord quickly?
You can check your landlord for free with the rentprofile service. You can check the authenticity of your landlord by using their contact number and address. The website is new and has over 1000+ registered tenants. The company conducts a thorough check before including any tenant on the list. Here are other ways to confirm your landlord's identity.
- Request your landlord's ID
- Check the land registry on the government website
- Visit the property you are about to pay for
- Don't hand in the money without a receipt
- Do not rush to book the property
Thus, by checking these signs, you may confirm the identity. Here are other ways to avoid landlord scams.
6 signs that confirm a rental property scam
Apart from checking the landlord's identity, it also analyses other things. For example, some illegal landlords copy the adverts and add their contact details. They trick the renters into paying a fee before vanishing. Others may even use tricks to defraud genuine tenants.
Thus, prevention is better than cure. Here are some tips that may help you avoid the rental scam.
1) Get the lease agreement in writing
After viewing the property, get a written lease agreement. It will help you get proof of authentic rental. It is the best way to begin on a good note. However, read through the agreement. Analyse the small details and the terms mentioned with Astrix.
Sometimes, additional and hidden costs may take you by surprise. If you spot unknown costs, confirm it with the landlord. A genuine one will not hesitate to tell you.
Your lease agreement should also involve your homeowner's name. The names should be there if they mention the trustees' hold over the property. You can also ask for a second confirmation from the other owner.
2) Avoid sub-leasing
Subleasing is something that the landlord frowns upon the most. It is a process of re-renting the apartment for someone known. Avoid doing so. If you want to, ask the homeowner first. The landlord may charge or legalise the issue. Thus, the best way to deal with this is- to end the existing renting tenure. Next, sign a fresh rental agreement with the person's name.
Before that, close your dues. It is the most important part of the rental agreement. The landlord may provide you with a deadline to clear it. However, it may not be a long one. If you cannot clear it within the deadline, check other options.
You may find quick finance options without a guarantee. Yes, you may qualify despite your poor credit history. For example, get very poor credit loans with no guarantor from a reliable direct lender now. It will help you pay the dues and switch the rental quickly. You may get only a small amount, up to £10000, for your needs. Tap the amount only that you need. Individuals with stable finances and income may get it quickly.
3) Have a closer look at the apartment
It is always better to visit the physical location than to confirm the rental online. It assures you of dealing with a legal property and the landlord.
Moreover, you can analyse the apartment from a better lens. It is not possible to identify the cracks or dampness through images. Additionally, you can examine the floor and the material closely.
A property tour will help you record some repairs and tell the landlord. The person must do so before you finally step in as a tenant.
4) High-pressure moves
A genuine landlord will never force you to rush to the decision. Instead, one grants you sufficient time to think. Landlords give you a tour of multiple properties. He may encourage you to ignite the red flags by engaging you in conversation. Additionally, he provides little time for property inspection. He may make claims like the property is under repair. The reality may be that it is already taken.
It may also include tactics like false rental receipts. They may even threaten the renters to immigration authorities.
If you see any of these signs while checking the property, report it. Ask for references from previous renters. It will help you confirm the landlord's identity.
5) Take the help of a local rental agent
Hiring a local rental agent may help you spot the best legal properties in the area. It is one of the best ways to avoid fraud. Check the best local agent within the area online. Analyse the directories and locate the best rent agents and their contact information. These agents share information about every property in the area. They may help you spot the legal one.
Additionally, they may help you with the application process and help verify the local landlords and property managers. If you seek short-term rentals, they may help you with similar properties. It is because not every landlord rents for a short time.
They usually choose a long-term tenant with a good credit and repayment history. Thus, agents may help you with everything related to renting an apartment. However, they charge a fee for their services. If you can't pay before the paycheck, check other options.
For example – check the options that provide instant approval. You may get a guaranteed loan approval with no credit check facility sometimes. You can meet the repayments with your current income comfortably. Affordability is the prime concern that helps you get instant cash for your needs. You can pay the agent's fee without panicking.
- Research the current market price
You can use the internet as your best buddy to analyse the best rentals in your area. Researching helps you avoid small neglections leading to scams. Analyse the reviews on reliable tenants' sites, forums, Facebook pages, etc. It enables you to go into detail regarding a property and its authenticity.
Additionally, explore the existing market rate of rentals. You can check by mentioning the area and the type of property you want to rent. You may spot several websites that may help you with that. Run if your landlord demands unrealistically or is higher than the existing market price. He may be a fraudster.
You can also search and confirm the property's existence by googling the image. You can do so through Google image search. Just scan the image, and you will get multiple results. Sometimes, the landlords copy-paste the image of real buildings to trick you. With this action, you can easily spot the authentic one.
Bottom line
With the rise in rental scams, making well-informed decisions may help. It reduces the risk of falling victim to the scams. Always do your research, ask for proof, and meet the landlord in person to authenticate. Most importantly, trust your gut. If you sense something off, switch the option. Never decide or book a rental in haste.
