How can I check if a place for rent really exists?
Only pay after you have seen the place and confirmed that the person renting it out is the owner or a real broker. A price far below normal and a request for a reservation fee or deposit before the viewing are the classic signs of a rental scam.
In a rental scam, the scammer copies the photos from a real listing, sets an attractive price and says they are abroad. They ask for a reservation fee or advance rent to "hold" the unit, then disappear.
How to check it
- Visit the place in person, or ask someone you trust to visit it.
- Ask for a copy of the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or the Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT), and request a certified true copy from the Registry of Deeds to confirm that the owner's name matches the person renting it out.
- If it is a condo, ask the building admin if the unit is really for rent and who the owner is.
- If it is a broker, ask for their PRC real estate broker license and check it.
- Do a reverse image search on the listing photos: if they appear in another listing, be careful.
- Never pay a reservation fee, deposit or advance rent before seeing the place and the contract.
Frequently asked questions
- The owner is abroad and will send the keys by courier. Can that be true?
- It is one of the most common stories in rental scams. Do not pay anything without a viewing.
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