The Definitive Guide For Tenants To Find The Perfect Rental Property - And Avoid Scams!

There are tons of things to consider when you're on the hunt for a new rental property, whether that's available outdoor space, what furniture's included, or how close to your workplace the property is located. 

One thing that's all too commonly overlooked is whether the rental property is actually legitimate. 

Rental property listing scams aim to steal money from genuine tenants by asking you to pay a considerable sum upfront disguised as a deposit or fee while failing to show you the actual property. 

With fake landlords scamming over 43% of American renters out of anywhere between $500 and $2,000 (costing Brits across the pond more than £22m since 2014), it's never been more important to be vigilant when house-hunting. 

Luckily, we've collated some dos and don'ts to help you find your perfect (legitimate!) rental property and avoid falling for scams. 

How to spot rental scams

If you're part of the 44 million people who rent from a private landlord every year, getting bang for your buck is crucial - as is spotting scams. 

As a rule of thumb, nine times out of 10, if a property seems too good to be true, it is. 

Just because images or even contact details accompany a property advert, it doesn't mean it's legitimate. 

The fraudster will typically contact victims online about the property and ask for a fee or deposit to book the viewing - which will likely never materialize. 

They might even give legitimate reasons, such as bad experiences with past tenants or too many people canceling viewings without notice. 

You should never have to pay just to view a property, and a 'landlord' piling on the pressure to transfer a viewing fee is a serious red flag. 

Be wary of landlords who don't screen you, too. 

Legitimate landlords will check tenants for things such as your right to live in the US. Not performing any checks is a cause for concern. 

The Dos & Don'ts of Being a Tenant

Dos

• Access the local tax assessor's office or county clerk's public records to check that the person renting the property is the owner. 
• Ask for gas and electricity safety certificates.
• Make sure you view a property in person before signing anything, especially the tenancy agreement. 
• Ask whether the property comes with or without the furniture you see during your viewing. 
• Take inventory when you first move in and note existing wear and tear or damaged objects. This will become important when you're asking for your deposit back.
• Be thorough when viewing the property, and ask questions if you're unsure of anything.
• Read online reviews of the landlord or letting agency. Ask for referrals.
• Pay via credit card where possible to protect your money. 
• Use an online sort code checker to make sure the landlord's bank account isn't a money transfer service.  

Don'ts

• Pay any money until you (or a housemate) have viewed the property in person. 
• Send cash via anonymous money transfer services. 
• Agree to move in without signing a legitimate contract. 

The Tenant Property Checklist

To make your life even easier when figuring out whether a rental opportunity is legitimate, here's a handy checklist you can follow to ensure everything is as it should be!

• Does the price seem too good to be true? If yes, then it probably is. Compare with other similar properties in the local area.
• Is the listing written to a professional quality, or is it littered with mistakes, errors, or missing critical information?
• Is the property listed only on a free site, like Facebook or Craig's List? Harder to tell if fake, but more likely than when using a paid, reputable listing service.
• Are you allowed to see the property in person before committing? If not, or if the landlord keeps making excuses, avoid it at all costs. This is the biggest red flag.
• Be sure there's a screening process for you as the tenant. No checks should raise suspicions.
• Look out for increasing pressure for you to hand over your money, perhaps even using aggressive tactics. Legitimate realtors are happy to make sure everything is handled correctly.
• Not allowed to meet the landlord or letting agent in person? This is another red flag. Legitimate property owners will be happy to help.
• Verify the landlord or property management company's identity and contact information.
• Research the neighborhood and the surrounding area to ensure it is safe and suitable for your needs.
• Check the state's or local government's website for any red flags about the property or landlord.
• Read the lease agreement carefully and ask questions about any unclear terms.
• Before moving in, check for any red flags, such as requests for upfront payment or money transfers.
• Verify that utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, are included in the rent or if you will be responsible for paying them.
• Check that the property complies with local housing codes and safety regulations.

And there we have it!

While this can feel like a lot to think about, it's more a case of keeping your wits about you and looking for anything that doesn't feel right. If your gut instinct tells you something is up, don't ignore it. 

You could end up being scammed thousands of dollars in the process.

Finding the perfect property should be an exciting experience, so as well as looking out for scams, list your property priorities and search for homes that match them. 

Then you'll be able to truly enjoy starting this next chapter of your life!

Happy house-hunting!

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