Home searching is rough, but it’s especially heartbreaking when you realize your dream listing with the pool you found at a bargain was all just smoke and mirrors. If you’re looking to save time and money, this guide to avoiding rental listing fraud will help you steer clear of scams. Let’s get started:
How to Verify Legitimacy of a Rental Listing
Verify the Landlord’s Identity
Ensure you’re talking with a legitimate business owner by verifying their contact information. A common tactic for scammers to get away with defrauding unsuspecting tenants is to impersonate the property owner of a real rental listing. They often create this illusion by setting up phony ads on a new site that mimics the original while swapping out the landlord’s contact information for theirs.
However, renters can avoid this pitfall by searching the location online. Alternative ads with a different property owner and number could indicate that one of them is a scam. Another way is to search the company’s name with the words “scam” or “complaint” in hopes of finding reviews exposing the pretender.
Inspect the Property In-Person
Seeing is believing, so schedule a physical viewing to inspect the property in person. Another common scheme is for scammers to list properties that don’t exist, sometimes using photos of real rentals or stock photos from the internet to attract potential renters. That’s why it’s always best to ask and to see the property physically rather than through videos, virtual tours, or even 3D walkthroughs. Technological advancements can make determining if an apartment fits a renter’s criteria easier. However, it should never replace an on-site tour, which most legitimate property owners are happy to provide.
On the flip side, a scammer is more likely to come up with excuses about why you can’t view the apartment, and while some of them may sound legitimate, it’s certainly a red flag. A good rental manager from Northern Virginia can assist in avoiding a potential rental listing fraud.
Research Current Rental Rates
Get an idea of current market rates before you start house searching. One of the ways scammers lure tenants is by offering rental rates that are too good to be true, giving a false impression that they have an exclusive deal. 
As a result, they can use such offers to pressure renters into paying application fees or rent a false listing. However, when you have a better idea of what rent goes for, you can easily spot suspicious offerings and walk away before you lose any money.
Check Payment Methods
Consider what payment method the property owner insists on using. When a landlord limits options to cash or wiring money through platforms like CashApp and Venmo, it is most likely a scam. These payment methods are difficult to reverse or dispute, making it harder for the tenant to get a refund. Fraudsters can also demand renters send money via wire transfer, prepaid cards, and cryptocurrency.
Standard Procedures on Tenant Screening
Compliance with Fair Housing Laws
Screening tenants is an elaborate process that helps landlords find qualified tenants, so renters should understand the procedure to improve their chances of scaling through. When finding a legitimate listing, the landlord has to comply with fair housing laws, which are federal rules to protect tenants from discrimination. Some protected classes include race, religion, gender, and national origin. However, at state and local levels, fair housing laws can extend to ancestry, language, veteran status, and housing subsidy programs. Thus, it would be in your best interest to get familiar with fair housing laws to spot discriminatory questions.
Scope of Background Check
Prepare documents for a background check. Landlords often have limitations on what they can ask applicants. The good thing is that there is plenty of information they can legally request from prospective tenants to help choose tenants. Questions such as current employment, monthly income, loan repayments, and former landlords can often be seen when filling out a written application form. Pet owners would also need to share details about their pet’s breed, training, and behavior around people. Such questions are fair, and potential tenants are expected to be ready with truthful answers that they can back up with evidence. Remember, prospective landlords will run your details through systems that fact-check the information provided. A tenant application will likely get rejected if there is a mismatch in the information provided.
Get Referees Ready
Prepare referees ahead of the tenant screening process. It’s normal for property owners to ask for the contact information of their current employer and previous landlords. Speaking with referees allows landlords to verify claims and better understand whether the applicant is a good fit for their rental. As a result, it would be in your best interest to give your current employer and landlord some heads-up. Giving them prior notice can make it easier for them to put in a good word for your tenant application.
Await a Decision
Remember that landlords often have multiple applicants that require individual background checks, so you’ll most likely have to wait for a decision after submitting the required documents. Some property owners may even request an in-person interview to get to know you more or verify some of the information you filled out. During the waiting period, renters are encouraged to keep searching and applying to other rentals to keep options open.
Conclusion
Juggling house searching with your daily routine can be a nightmare, but that’s no excuse to bypass due diligence when rental hunting. False listings and fake landlords are rampant, and to avoid losing money and falling victim to their schemes – being alert is always a must! Always double-check the landlord’s identity before moving forward with a rental, and remember to search online for duplicate listings of the same property. It would also be best to research local rental rates, opt for an in-person viewing, and be wary of property owners who insist on cash payments.
When landing a legitimate listing, prepare for a thorough background check. Knowing fair housing policies can protect you, it is still a requirement to provide information about monthly income, employment, and previous landlord information. So remember to notify your referees and keep house hunting while waiting for a decision.
