When you hunt down the ideal Quincy rental home, it may be an exciting moment. However, as you’re reviewing the floorplan, neighborhood, and lease terms, don’t forget to check any rental listing for indications that it’s a scam. Sadly, rental scams are extremely common, perpetrated by dishonest landlords and fake rental listings longing to scam potential tenants out of their hard-earned money. As a result, it is crucial to stay alert and research any rental property carefully. By knowing the red flags to look for and what to do if you think you’ve identified a scam, you can avoid falling victim to a rental scam situation.
Common Rental Scams
While there are numerous techniques that scammers try to convince people into giving them money, there are a couple of common rental scams you should be aware of. Possibly the rental scam people encounter most often is where a person claiming to be a landlord advertises a property they don’t own, or that doesn’t exist.
One more popular tactic is to create ambiguous or downright fake advertising for a property that does exist but is not owned by the person listing the home for rent. These scammers may attempt to pressure you into sending them a deposit right away or attempt to rush you into signing lease documents without touring the rental property first. Sad to mention, it’s estimated that as large as 5.2 million renters have been scammed out of money by fraudulent listings.
Watch for Warning Signs
To prevent being scammed, there are usually some warning signs that things are quite obvious. If you understand what these signs are, you can spot a rental scam before you get scammed.
At first, it is recommended to do your research. Review the ad meticulously for spelling errors, vague information, or a deal that sounds too good to be true. Chances are if it seems like an incredible bargain, it could be a scam. It is a good idea to talk to the professional Quincy property manager on the phone and arrange to view the property in person. If they demand a deposit first or claim to be out of the country, both of those are big red flags.
The same thing is true if the landlord insists on dealing only in cash or asks for a wire transfer. In the first case, cash-only rentals are unethical and potentially illegal; therefore, it is advisable to ignore them. Requesting a wire transfer is a tactic commonly used by scammers because, like cash, wire transfers are unrecoverable once sent. No matter what they claim the money is for, never give a landlord a deposit without signing a lease first.
Best Practices for Safe Renting
Probably the best approach to avoid getting scammed as you search for a rental home is to go through a reputable management company. Even though local property management operations may give a few listings, there is still no guarantee that they are engaged in fair, ethical rental practices. The safest course of action is to choose a company with national credibility and a reputation for high-quality customer service. Furthermore, choosing the right property management company to rent from can facilitate finding and renting your new home, lessening your options to only those that fit your budget and lifestyle. This is the smarter and more efficient way to locate your desired rental home.
If you are exploring a new rental home but want to steer clear of any scams or misleading ads, your best option is to contact Real Property Management Associates. We are a top-ranking national company with local offices, the best of both worlds: you’ll get local rental market expertise from a respected organization you know you can depend on. Contact us today or check out our rental listings online.
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