Don’t Fall Victim To Rental Scams: Look For These Signs

Apartment hunting can be difficult. It doesn't matter if you're new in town or your situation has changed, and you must find a new place for your family. It can be even more complicated if money is tight or you are a good person who has been in a lousy situation that makes you not an attractive tenant. Recently, I've noticed on local Facebook pages that some rental scams have been reported.

Often, a scammer might take photos from an actual home or apartment for sale or rent, create a fake post, and end up with your money while you don't have a new apartment to go to, and now, in many cases, you're out of that cash.

Avail, a software designed for landlords, has some tips for how to spot a scam rental property listing. If you experience any of the following scenarios, you might be being scammed:

• If a potential landlord doesn't want to meet you in person.
• If they want you to move in immediately without seeing the property.
• If they ask you for rent or a security deposit before signing your lease.
• If the price is too good.
• The listing has typos, poor grammar, or excessive punctuation.
• There is no tenant screening process.
• They want you to sign an incomplete lease.

Avail suggests three great ways to avoid rental scams: thoroughly vet the rental listing, meet the landlord, and see the property in person.

Working in radio, I've moved around a lot. I've never taken an apartment sight unseen. In some towns, there are plenty of apartment complexes, and it's easy to walk into the leasing office, see a model apartment, apply for an apartment, and get all the details. In other places like the Sedalia-Warrensburg area, there are fewer complexes where you can do that. Yet, there is no shortage of real estate agents and property management companies.

I spoke to several real estate and property management agencies when I moved here. Terri Hunter's Complete Real Estate Service helped me by providing me with a list of Sedalia Landlords. In Warrensburg, I spoke to Fireside Realty about rentals in Warrensburg and Knob Noster, and they gave me some great information. Recently, I've seen Martin Management active on some of the local community Facebook pages, helping people not get scammed.

When I finally found a place I liked, Spirit Rentals in Warrensburg managed it. I drove out, met with the property manager, toured the apartment, and asked questions. Before the lease was signed, the property manager even wanted to meet my dog to ensure they were comfortable with his breed and temperament.

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I talked to actual real estate agents and property managers. They are experts in their field and pretty knowledgeable about what might be available and who else I could contact who might have something. I talked and met with the landlords, even for the one or two places I checked out on Facebook. In smaller towns like Sedalia and Warrensburg, you'd be surprised what you can learn from speaking with people.

The bottom line when it comes to avoiding rental scams is to do your homework. As tempting as it may be when it looks like you've found the perfect apartment, don't rush into it. Keep the tips that Avail suggests, as well as my experience, in mind. If you do that, you'll find the perfect place to hang your hat.