Rental property listing scams typically aim to steal money from interested renters. They’ll try to get you to send a check for a security deposit or move-in fee without ever seeing the apartment, and they’ll keep the money without any intention of renting a unit to you.
How Can You Tell If a Rental Property Listing Is a Scam?
- They Don’t Want to Meet You in Person
- They Want You to Move in Immediately, Without Ever Seeing the Property
- They Ask for Rent or a Security Deposit Before Signing a Lease
- The Price is Too Good
- The Listing Has Typos, Poor Grammar, or Excessive Punctuation
- They Want You to Sign an Incomplete Lease
How to Avoid Rental Scams
Do extensive research!
- Know your Tenant Rights and what a listing scam might look like (see above).
- Look at property/tenant reviews on websites.
- Contact previous tenants if possible.
- Ask lots of questions.
- View the property in person or if you are unable to see it in person, set up a virtual tour or have a friend check it out.