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How to Avoid Raleigh Court Rental Scams

A Desk with Money, Keys, and a Paper that Says Rental ScamWhen you acquire your dream Raleigh Court rental home, it can be a great event. However, as you’re checking the floorplan, neighborhood, and lease terms, don’t forget to check any rental listing for factors that show it’s a scam. Unluckily, rental scams are all too popular, perpetrated by dishonest landlords and fake rental listings desperate to scam potential tenants out of their hard-earned money. This is why it is extremely critical to remain alert and research any rental property carefully. By knowing the red flags to look for and what to do if you think you’ve spotted a scam, you can avoid falling victim to a rental scam situation.

Common Rental Scams

Even though there are numerous distinct tactics that scammers try to fool individuals into giving them money, there are a few common rental scams you should be aware of. Probably the rental scam people encounter most often is where a person claiming to be a landlord advertises a property they don’t own, or that doesn’t exist.

One more common tactic is to create deceptive or downright bogus advertising for a property that does exist but is not owned by the person listing the home for rent. These scammers may eventually pressure you into sending them a deposit right away or attempt to rush you into signing lease documents without touring the rental property first. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that up to 5.2 million renters have been scammed out of money by fraudulent listings.

Watch for Warning Signs

To avoid being scammed, there are typically some warning signs that things aren’t quite good. If you fully appreciate what these signs are, you can spot a rental scam before you get tricked.

First, don’t forget to do your research. Assess the ad carefully for spelling errors, vague information, or a deal that sounds too good to be true. Chances are if it seems like an incredible bargain, it’s definitely a scam. It is necessary to talk to the professional Raleigh Court property manager on the phone and arrange to view the property in person. If they demand a deposit first or claim to be out of the country, both of those are big red flags.

This is especially correct if the landlord insists on dealing only in cash or asks for a wire transfer. In the first case, cash-only rentals are unethical and possibly illegal, so it’s preferable to disregard them. Requesting a wire transfer is a tactic commonly used by scammers because, like cash, wire transfers are unrecoverable once sent. Regardless of what they pretend the money is for, never give a landlord a deposit without signing a lease first.

Best Practices for Safe Renting

One effective approach to prevent being scammed when finding a rental home is to go through a reputable management company. Even though local property management operations may provide a couple of listings, there is still no guarantee that they are adhering to fair, ethical rental practices. The safest course of action is to choose a company with national credibility and a reputation for high-quality customer service. Additionally, choosing the right property management company to rent from can streamline the procedure of finding and renting your new home, minimizing your options to only those that fit your budget and lifestyle. This is the smarter and more efficient way to determine your next rental home.

 

If you are trying to find a new rental home but want to steer clear of any scams or misleading ads, your best option is to contact Real Property Management Colonial. We are a top-ranking national company with local offices, the best of both worlds: you’ll get local rental market expertise from a respected organization you know you can trust. Contact us today or check out our rental listings online.

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