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 estate agent. A rent far below normal and a request for the deposit by mobile money 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 do an official land search at the land registry of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development: the owner's name should match the person renting it out.
- If it's an estate agent, check that the company is registered with URSB, 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 tenancy agreement.
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.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for USh 7,000.
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