Time and time again you see articles in the news about how someone was duped into renting a place only to find that the place is not available, the person renting isn’t the owner, they asked you to wire money etc, etc…..
This is 2009! You have to be internet savvy if you plan to use the internet to locate a place to live. Here are some tips to help you in your search:
1. Use a Property Management company. This will insure you that you have someone reputable showing you the place, taking care of maintenance needs, collecting your rent and sending it to the correct owner, etc. This is the BEST place to start.
2. If you can’t use a PM company, you must do your research. If you use Craigslist, you need to be extra careful. Unfortunately it’s the easiest way for a scammer to take your money. I use Craiglist to sell items that I no longer want, but you still have to be careful when dealing with property. While they do have fraud warnings on the site, your gut instinct should also help you decide.
3. Never ever agree to wire money to see an apartment or to pick up keys. A reputable landlord will never ask for this.
4. Never sign for an apartment or house you haven’t seen. Send a relative or friend to view it for you. Ask for the landlords information such as where do they live, what is their phone number, how long have they been renting property, etc.
5. Use the power of the internet to your advantage. Google the name, address or phone number of the person you are dealing with. See if they come back with any red flags.
6. Google the address of the property you wish to move in to. If the address comes back listed with another agent or on a site for sale. Run, don’t walk away from the deal.
7. The “overseas or out of country excuse” is one of the most well known excuses to not meet you in person. If they were that concerned about the property, they would place it in the hands of a reputable Property management company. This is a definite red flag.
I hope this helps everyone in their search for the next best place to live. Feel free to comment or let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. Don’t forget to search Rentwiki.com for your next apartment rental.
