Avoiding Rental Scams
Avoiding rental scams on your own can be challenging, no matter the website or platform. If a rental price seems unusually low compared to similar listings in the area, it may be too good to be true and could signal a scam. Trust your instincts—legitimate rentals are generally aligned with local market rates. Also, be cautious if a landlord or property manager avoids in-person meetings or refuses to arrange a tour; a credible property manager should be willing to show you the property. Recognizing these warning signs can help you avoid potential scams early in the process.
Do the following when searching for a new rental home.
- Meet the Owner or Property Manager in Person: Always arrange to meet the landlord or property manager face-to-face to verify their identity and establish trust.
- Tour the Property Inside and Out: Inspect both the interior and exterior of the home to ensure it’s in good condition and a suitable fit for your needs.
- Review Lease Terms Carefully: Before committing, thoroughly review all lease terms to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
- Avoid Sending Money Through Unsecured Methods: Do not Venmo, Cash App, wire, or mail any payments until you've met the owner or manager, toured the property, completed an application, and reviewed and agreed to the lease terms.
- Work with a Licensed Agent to Find Your Rental: Our agents can guide you through the rental process, ensuring each step is secure and that you’re protected from scams.
Here's Some Common Rental Scams To Watch Out For
Being aware of these common scams, you can better protect yourself from falling victim to rental fraud.
- Fake Listings: Scammers copy real estate listings and post them on various sites with their own contact information, hoping to collect application fees, deposits, or rent payments from unsuspecting renters.
- Phantom Rentals: The scammer advertises a property that doesn’t exist or isn’t actually available. Often, they will request an upfront payment to "hold" the property, then disappear once the payment is made.
- Too-Good-to-Be-True Pricing: A listing with rent that’s far below market value is often a scam. Scammers use low prices to lure in potential tenants quickly, hoping they’ll pay without much questioning.
- The “Out of Town” Landlord: The scammer claims they can’t meet in person because they’re out of town or abroad but will request a deposit to "secure the property." They promise to mail the keys once payment is received, but the keys (and the property) never materialize.
- Fake Application Fees: Some scammers require potential tenants to pay application fees or background check fees. However, there’s no real application or background check, and the scammer keeps the money without providing a legitimate rental opportunity.
- Unauthorized Subleasing: In this scam, someone who doesn’t own the property pretends to be the landlord, subleases it to tenants, collects rent, and disappears. This can happen if the property is vacant or even if it’s currently rented.
- Wire Transfer or Cash Payment Requests: Scammers ask for payments via wire transfers, Cash App, or other difficult-to-trace methods, rather than secure or traditional payment channels. They may also ask for cash payments in person without showing ID.
- Fake Property Managers: A scammer claims to be a property manager working on behalf of the landlord but has no real authority over the property. They might collect deposits and rent without ever giving you access to the property.
You Don't Have To Do It Alone!
At MOUSii our experienced licensed agents are your best defense against rental scams, guiding you through a secure process to find legitimate properties. With exclusive access to verified listings. In every step, our agents at MOUSii provide you with a trusted, secure path to your new home, offering you a peace of mind and protection from rental scams so you can confidently find the perfect place to call home.
