How can I tell if a place to rent really exists?
Only pay once you've viewed the property and confirmed that the person renting it out is the owner or a registered rental agent. A rent far below normal and a request for the deposit by transfer before you've viewed the place are the classic signs of a rental scam.
In a rental scam the scammer copies the photos from a real listing, puts up an attractive price and says they're overseas or out of town. They ask for a deposit to "secure" the place and then disappear.
How to check
- View the property in person, or ask someone you trust to view it.
- Ask for the owner's details and proof of ownership, such as the Certificate of Occupancy, and check it at the state land registry: the owner's name should match the person renting it out.
- If it's an agent, check that they are registered with the state's real estate regulator, where there is one, and visit their office.
- Do a reverse image search on the listing's photos: if they appear in another listing, be careful.
- Never pay a deposit or rent before you've seen the property and signed a lease.
Frequently asked questions
- The owner is overseas and will courier the keys. Can that be true?
- It's one of the most common stories in rental scams. Don't pay anything without a viewing.
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