Finding a new apartment is a stressful endeavor that most people can relate to. With landlords already requiring an income of 40 times the monthly rent even to be considered for an apartment, and apartments getting rented at a rapid pace, every second matters. These two factors add enough stress to the apartment rental process. Unfortunately, these are not the only stressors. Another big worry is the possibility of getting scammed. Unfortunately, there are people out there who will take advantage of people during these stressful times. Scammers use different methods. In this post, we will identify the many tactics scammers have used in the past and the actions you should take to ensure scammers are reported and, more importantly, you are not scammed.
Types of Rental Scams
There are several types of scams out there. Here are some examples of scams that you should be aware of!
A real apartment is available, but the agent is not.
Scammers will use information from real listings, including photos, descriptions, and addresses, but instead of a licensed real estate agent, you are talking to a scammer. This scam involves upfront fees, including application fees, first-month rent, deposit fees, or anything else that may come up during a normal apartment hunt. The only problem is, they don’t actually get you the apartment. They might ghost you, tell you that they cannot meet up with you, or make up a new excuse not to see you. Communication with your agent is a big tell if you are dealing with a legit real estate agent or a scammer.
The photos in the listing don’t match the item’s appearance.
You might have come across an apartment that actually looks good and is on sale. You get excited because the photos make it seem like a nice apartment. This is where actually seeing the apartment in person comes in handy. Some images online do not translate to real life. Whether it is a picture that makes a room look bigger or AI photos, discussing this with agents in person will save you the hassle of potentially getting scammed, so if the dimensions of a room look suspect or you notice the kitchen is in two pictures, but have two different fridges or layouts, make sure you are seeing these apartments in person.
Inventory Issue
If you find the perfect apartment online, the price is within your budget, you meet the financial qualifications, and you set up an appointment to see it in person, that should be enough, right? Unfortunately, some listings are bait-and-switches for a lesser apartment in the building—another reason to make sure to see the apartment in person. If you arrive at an apartment viewing and the agent immediately says that the apartment you were supposed to see is no longer available, but they have a unit in the same building, that is not a good sign. You should begin the search process over again.
Tells that it might be a scam
There are a few ways to catch scams in the moment before you waste your time. If something feels off, trust your gut! Here are some tells to look out for:
Photos
We were taught as kids never to judge a book by its cover. If only it were this easy when finding an apartment. Some listings will have AI-generated photos or photos that do not accurately depict the apartment in question. A bigger tell is the absence of photos.
Description
Reading a description can give you all you need to know about the apartment. Having accurate information about the apartment, highlighting the amenities the building offers, will greatly shape how you think about it. Some parts of the description to look out for include all caps, special characters (!@#%$, etc.), or emojis. If a description demands a pushy level of urgency to move the process forward, please take a moment to confirm that there is no phishing activity.
What to do if you’ve been scammed or think you might be scammed
When you see a deal online that is too good to be true, it just might be. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to confirm your suspicions.
Contact us
Here at Renthop, we strive to provide Renters with the best listings and remove scam listings. We want to work with our renters to make sure the rental process is as smooth as possible. If you see a listing on our site that is misleading, please scroll to the bottom of the page, click on “Report this listing here,” and our team will remove any scam listings from our site. We want you to feel safe looking on our site. Any communication to us will help you and others avoid these scam listings.
Contact the Brokerage Firm
If you are working with an agent at a specific real estate brokerage firm, they should have an email address that identifies the brokerage firm. If you have a feeling that something is wrong with a listing or an agent, you can always contact the brokerage firm directly to confirm that the listing is legitimate.
Contact the city
If you see a listing on another site and the brokerage firm did not meet your satisfaction when dealing with a potential scammer, then we recommend reaching out to the city. You can report the agent to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) via this form, to the NYC Commission on Human Rights via this form, or by calling 311. Learn more information about Residential Rental Agency Complaints.
Some final reminders
Here are some final reminders to make sure you avoid scams
- Make payments through secure and traceable methods
- See the listing in person
- Verify the listing with the agent or agency
- If possible, meet the landlord
- Reverse Google image search photos
- Check the price compared to other apartments in the area
Red Flags to look out for:
- Agent or landlord suddenly not available to talk due to being overseas or on vacation
- Poor communication
- Pressure to pay before seeing anything
- Descriptions that are poorly written.
Be on the lookout, but keep looking on Renthop.com for your next apartment. We believe in you!
