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Online Real Estate Rental Scams

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Stars Realty

The internet has made it super easy for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting people.  I made this short 1-minute video to create an awareness of 7 red flags you should watch out for when it comes to online rental advertisements.

  1. When the person whop is renting the property doesn't want to meet with you in person at the property.
  2. They seem pushy and want you to move in immediately without walking through or taking a tour of the rental property.
  3. They try to get you to send them money before you sign a lease.
  4. You look at the online photos and the rental looks way too nice for the price.
  5. The online photos of the rental look like they were taken of a house or property in another state or country and the photos of the rental don't look like something you would find in your community.
  6. The landlord doesn't require a rental application or a credit screening process.
  7. The person who is advertising the property for rent isn't the legal owner.  You can typically look this up using the county public records in most communities online.  For our area we use https://www.knoxcountyauditor.org which shows property ownership for Knox County Ohio.

If your gut is giving you a bad vibe that the rental may not be legit you should do more extensive research before you sign anything or send them money.  If they tell you that they have a lot of people interested in renting the property and they want you need to send them money now... you are likely communicating with a scammer.  Be careful.

Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty 740-397-7800 SamMillerSells.com

Comments(1)

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Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

When our daughter's house was on the market (we had it listed) tons of potential renters came to the house after it was a scam on craigs list.  Took days to get it removed.  We now put signs up at all our listings saying they are not for rent.

Jul 10, 2024 11:05 AM
Sam Miller

Thanks for commenting Don!  I love how you handle the "Not For Rent" signage - Sam 

Jul 10, 2024 12:40 PM