[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” column_structure=”3_4,1_4″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”3_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Beware of Payment Before Viewing<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re asked to make a payment before viewing a rental home in person, it\u2019s a major red flag. No money should change hands, and no contracts should be signed until you\u2019ve seen the property in person.<\/p>\n Scammers might claim it\u2019s to \u201cmanage demand\u201d or prevent \u201ctime wasters,\u201d or that the payment is refundable if you decide not to rent the property. However, this is a common tactic used in rental scams.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve even encountered cases where scammers conducted virtual viewings via video call to convince victims to pay before an in-person viewing. Even in these situations, you should never hand over any cash.<\/p>\n Beware of Copied Photos in Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n Fraudsters can be quite lazy. Instead of creating new listings and taking original photos, they often clone genuine listings to save time.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there\u2019s a quick and easy way to spot this scam: reverse-searching the images. You can do this in your browser by right-clicking on an image and selecting \u2018search by image\u2019.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can upload or paste images to tineye.com.<\/p>\n If you find the same image and\/or details used repeatedly to advertise different properties, you\u2019re likely dealing with a scam.<\/p>\n Beware of Prices That Are Too Good to Be True<\/strong><\/p>\n As with any scam, rental fraudsters often try to lure people in with listings that feature eye-catching, below-market rents.<\/p>\n With a shortage of rental housing in the UK, average rents rose by 9% in the 12 months to February 2024 (Office for National Statistics).<\/p>\n If a property seems like a bargain, be suspicious. In the context of rising rents, it\u2019s unlikely to be genuine.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to do your research by looking at multiple listings for the area and type of home you hope to rent. This will give you a feel for typical market rates.<\/p>\n Beware of Mismatched Payee Names<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if you manage to view a property, it doesn\u2019t guarantee the deal is genuine. Scammers can gain access to properties they don\u2019t own to conduct bogus viewings.<\/p>\n If the property is advertised through a local agency, call or visit the agency\u2019s registered office to confirm its legitimacy.<\/p>\n For properties advertised by private landlords, it can be harder to verify their authenticity. You can check via your local authority\u2019s landlord licensing scheme or consult the Land Registry for the property owner\u2019s name (this costs \u00a33). Ask to see proof of identity, such as a passport.<\/p>\n When it\u2019s time to transfer the deposit, ensure the payee name matches the name of the company or landlord you believe you\u2019re dealing with. If it doesn\u2019t, you could be paying a scammer or their money mule.<\/p>\n Never pay in cash or via unprotected methods such as cryptocurrency or gift cards. Requests to pay this way are major red flags.<\/p>\n In 2024, landlords should be aware of several key trends and changes that could impact their property management and investment strategies:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 4 ways to spot a rental scam Beware of Payment Before Viewing If you\u2019re asked to make a payment before viewing a rental home in person, it\u2019s a major red flag. No money should change hands, and no contracts should be signed until you\u2019ve seen the property in person. Scammers might claim it\u2019s to \u201cmanage […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-102","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat landlords should watch out for in 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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