Jun 04 2009
Landlord and Tenant Rental Scams
While I am a landlord, I am a citizen and see both sides of the equation here. With the economy in a tailspin we have set the stage for scams to be rampant. The increase in foreclosures has forced both homeowners and tenants out into the street. Most appear with a sense of urgency and will need a place fast. This urgency can cause people to cut corners or to rush through things and not pay attention to the details. This is a scam artist’s dream. They can prey on the urgency and need to bilk people out of their hard earned, and much needed, money.
I’ve compiled a list of some scams, both landlord and tenant scams, for us all to keep an eye on.
Non-Owner Scam:
Non-owner showing a property. These guys got the keys to a place one way or anotehr and are looking to rent it out. They will rent the same place out to multiple people and collect security deposits, first and last months rents from all the "tenants". this usually ends with no one’s lease being valid and everyone out their money.
This can be accomplished a couple ways.
- Renting with the intent of renting to others. This scam works just how it sounds. A scam artist rents a property so they can show it to other prospective renters. They will collect first and last month’s rent, security deposits and any fees or charges they can squeeze out of their victims before skipping town with the loot. There have been reports of a single property being leased or rented to dozens of people before the crook vanished with their money.
- Renting on behalf of the owner. This scam is similar to the previous one but there’s one major difference: the scam artist claims to be helping someone else rent the property. They might be sick, or overseas, or just too busy to do it themselves for whatever reason. Once the scammer collects first, last, deposits and fees they skip town. The renter then discovers the home wasn’t for rent. The owners or renters may have been away for business or pleasure, or it’s a vacation home, or it could be a foreclosed property. Either way you’re out the money if you fall for it.
- Let and run scam. In this scam the perpetrator poses as someone interested in renting a property. they will come and view the property once with the owner or manager. they will then stop by and ask to see the place again, usually trying to get the manager or owner to agree to allow them to view the place alone or very quickly. Once hey get the key from the owner they will have a copy made and return it. If the landlord checks out the property everything seems fine. The "prospective tenant" will then perform one of the above scams.
In these scams, there are really two victims. First, the landlord now has squatters in their property and, second, the tenants have an illegal tenancy and will face eviction.
Ad Copying:
Here a scammer will copy a Craigslist ad or other rental ad exactly. They will then post this ad, many times pictures and all, and just change the rent amount and contact information. Here everything looks good. If you drive by the property you may even see a "For Rent" sign in front. Neighbors will know it is for rent, etc. This scam plays on the "too good to be true" emotion. If all properties are renting for around $900 and the one you are looking at is great and also $700, something is wrong. This is most likely the start to one of the above mentioned scams.
Identity Theft:
In today’s online world it may seem Ok to handle things electronically. Maybe even an application to rent a property. Remember folks, you are giving out your personal information here. Think identity theft. Some scammers aren’t necessarily looking to rip you off now. Some may just want your personal information. These people will most likely try to keep everything over the phone or the Internet. They will try to get you to fill out an application and give them personal information. Here they are mainly looking to steal your identity. You may not even realize you were scammed until it is too late. Follow some good advice. Never give out your personal information over the phone…or the Internet.
Nigerian type Scams:
This tried and true scam has now made it’s way into the hearts of all areas of business. This scam preys to both tenants and landlords. There are two main variants for each.
- With landlords it is generally a tenant coming into the country. The prospective tenant will send a cashier’s check to you. "Accidentally" they will have sent too much and they want you to wire them the difference back, keeping a little bit for your won trouble of course. Once you wire the money to them they will have it and you will find out the check has bounced. Remember, it can take a couple weeks before the bank knows that the check has bounced. Once it does they will come after you for the money. Either way, you will be out the money you wired to them.
- For tenants, it is different. It is a play on the Ad Copying Scam above. Generally you will never meet this person but they have a great place for rent. They will try to conduct all business over the phone and via the Internet. Once they have your money they will disappear.
Things to watch out for:
- If it is too good to be true run, don’t walk.
- Cash only up front
- Overpayment then asking for a refund
- Offering you something that doesn’t pass the smell test, like the “homeboy hookup” in the video below.
Safe practices:
- Deal locally with people you can meet in person.
- Avoid deals involving shipping or escrow services, and be wary of a transaction “guarantee.”
- Never give out your financial information and definitely do not wire funds.
- Ask plenty of "qualifying" questions.
- Verify owners of property at the tax board.
- Ask the landlord if you can see their ID.
- If a property management company is managing the condo, home or community, call them and ask whether the person you’re dealing with actually owns the property.
- Considering how many homes are being foreclosed, don’t be afraid to ask if the landlord is current on their mortgage payments.
- Ask potential tenants for references and follow up by checking them.
- Change the locks frequently if you rent the property often. If your previous tenants kept a copy of the keys, they have access to the home!
- Verify your tenant’s employment by contacting their employer.
- Run a credit check on potential tenants before renting to them.
- Don’t let a tenant pay more than you asked for then demand a refund. If you give it to them, you’re out the money.
Sorry for the long post. It ended up being a lot of information to put here.
Check out the video below. The original story is here: