Housing ReliefHere’s how to avoid that from happening so you can move into your new rental without worry.
Are you one of the many people moving to a new place? If so, these could be one of your reasons, most of which are somehow related to the coronavirus pandemic:
- You’re moving to avoid constant COVID-19 shutdowns.
- You’re moving to where you can find a new job, as you lost your old one.
- You’re moving to avoid crowded living spaces, as COVID-19 taught you the importance of social distancing and being spread out during a pandemic.
- You’re moving to avoid high taxes.
- You’re downgrading your current place because you lost your job or income and can no longer afford it.
As you can see, there are many new reasons to move. And as many people pack up their things with the hopes of starting over somewhere new, scammers see tons of opportunities to steal money and data.
Rental scams have been around forever, but they’re bound to grow even more now as people relocate at a higher rate. Since you probably saved every penny for a new rental or are on a tight budget, follow these tips to avoid being the next scam victim. If not, you could lose your savings and find it impossible to move.
1. Pay close attention to the ad.
When looking at a rental ad, pay attention to four things:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Capitalization
- Exclamation
If the spelling and grammar are terrible or even seem foreign, it could be a scam. And even if it isn’t, getting into an agreement with such an agent could be less than ideal due to a lack of professionalism.
If most of the ad is filled with CAPS and tons of exclamation marks, it could be the scammer’s way of trying to get attention. Proceed with caution.
2. Ask about the owner.
If the agent is your main contact, ask to speak to the owner so you can ask them about the property and feel them out. If the owner is not available or impossible to get ahold of, they may not even exist, and the agent could just be looking to steal a deposit or your info.
3. Never pay or sign anything beforehand.
No matter how good a rental looks in pictures, never pay to see it in person. Taking things one step further, never sign a contract without seeing the property. Believe it or not, such mistakes happen from renters who are in a rush or fall in love with a property that’s too good to be true.
4. Don’t fall for low prices.
Speaking of something being too good to be true, watch out for prices that are a lot lower than the market. Even if the price is legit, it’s probably low because the rental has severe issues that will make you regret ever signing a lease.
Why would a scammer list a rental way below market? When they want to hook a prospective renter who may rush to give a deposit or sign a contract simply because they think they’re getting an amazing deal.
5. Don’t give in to pressure.
If an agent or owner puts so much pressure on you that it makes you uncomfortable, listen to your instincts. Sure, they should be enthusiastic about you renting the place, but not to the point where they strong-arm you to sign. If you feel rushed in any way, walk away.
