We’ve all had to change postal addresses at some point or another, whether it’s roommates you can’t live with any longer or a change in jobs or needing a bigger house for a growing family. Moving is an arduous process that begins with a long search for a suitable place. Craigslist is often the first place we turn to. Like everything else online, it has its stories of deals gone wrong. Here are a five ways to ensure you don’t get scammed:
What’s your name again?
A rental listing by hufretty85 is probably as fake as the name. Along with checking out the property, it is essential to look up the landlord. A simple Google search of the property lister’s name should give you basic information about the person.
Do the photographs tell the truth?
The listing should have plenty of good photographs. No matter how genuine the excuse sounds, stay far away from listings that do not include photographs or do not mention the address. Looking for a rental property online is similar to online dating in this aspect — the absence of a picture is justifiable reason to worry.
Photoshop and clever photography can work wonders. Check the address provided on the Google Maps website or download the app on your smartphone to see the location and check out aerial and street views to verify the photographs. This way you can check out the area surrounding the house. Sometimes, a listing will fail to mention the house is near a noisy industrial unit or far from all basic amenities.
Can that really be true?
One of the cardinal rules of any online listing is “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” The most common sign of this is a ridiculously low-priced property with everything you could ask for included. Other signs to look out for are a landlord who is willing to pay for extras that other listings do not include or a landlord who doesn’t want to meet you or is too busy to meet you.
Does the landlord really need to know so much?
Craigslist is notorious for identity thieves, and the rental section is the most common playing field for them. Beware of listings that ask for too many details, especially ones that entice you to give away bank account information. Lifelock is a service that constantly monitors your personal information and scans for misuse of your identity to protect you from identity fraud and theft. Make payments only once you have seen the place in person and met the landlord. In cases where you’re moving to a new city, it’s always better to pay a holding amount until you move there. Wiring money leaves you with very little protection in case something goes wrong.
What’s the paperwork needed?
A landlord who claims to not need any written documentation for a rental agreement is probably someone you do not want to deal with. If not a lease, you should get at least a contract that mentions the rental amount and the duration of your stay. Under no circumstances should you pay money without getting a receipt for the same. Though a lease is not always necessary, it is always better to have one to ensure that the “landlord” isn’t subletting a property or renting out a property that isn’t his at all.
Even with all its horror stories, Craigslist is a very useful site to find a new place for yourself. However, it isn’t easy so take your time and go through each listing carefully.
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