Unlocking Stress-Free Rentals: Your Ultimate Guide to a Secure Home Hunt
In today's tough rental market, where there aren't many homes available, some people are trying to trick those looking for a place to live. These scammers take advantage of people who are in a hurry to find a home and may not be paying close attention. Unfortunately, this can lead to losing a lot of money.
To help you avoid falling for scams while looking for a rental property, here are some important tips:
𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀:
Stick to well-known websites or trusted real estate agencies when searching for rental properties. Some other websites might hide scammers who try to get your personal information or money for a home that doesn't actually exist.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼:
Make sure the person you're talking to is a real rental agent. Legitimate agents will share their contact details, name, and photo. They should also give you a phone number to call. If you can only contact them through text or email, be careful. Double-check their identity by looking at their agency's website or calling the office.
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀:
If the agent always responds quickly or puts a lot of pressure on you, be cautious. Legitimate agents usually take some time to respond. If something feels strange, trust your instincts and walk away.
𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻:
It's best to visit the property in person. This helps you avoid surprises and makes sure the agent is real. Don't apply for a property without seeing it, and be careful if an agent tries to make you apply without checking it out first.
𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Never give money when applying for a property. Learn about the rules in your area about how much money you need to pay and when. Only pay when your application is approved or when you're signing the lease.
𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀:
Don't offer any extra rewards or money to an agent to choose you as the tenant. If an agent pressures you to do this, be ready to say no and walk away. The property owner decides who rents their place, and giving extra incentives is not allowed.
𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲:
If possible, pay your bond (a big amount of money) directly to your state's bond board. This means the government keeps your money safe instead of the property owner or agent.
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
If you have to pay the bond to the agent, ask for a receipt right away. This proves the amount and date you paid. Within a few weeks, make sure the agent confirms and gives you a receipt showing they transferred the money to your state's bond board.
In summary, most agents are good, but it's important to be careful and know what to look for to avoid problems. Choosing a trusted agency will give you a safe and positive experience.
For more information about renting with 𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, check our renting page or talk to your 𝗬𝗘𝗦 local agent.
