Avoid Rental Scams: Ways To Protect Yourself

Searching for the perfect rental property can be an exciting journey in life, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Unfortunately, in the digital age, rental scams have become increasingly prevalent, leaving many prospective tenants vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.

Protecting Yourself from Rental Scams

To safeguard yourself from falling victim to these horrendous scams and ensure a smooth and secure rental process. In this blog, we'll walk you through common rental scams and steps to protect yourself.

Research Thoroughly

Start by researching the rental market in the area. Familiarize yourself with typical rental rates and property features. This will help you recognize unrealistic offers. By using Next Six, you can gather research on both the rental rates and features and also official property agents that sell in that area.?

Visit Properties in Person

After deciding on your preferred property, make sure to visit the property in person. If the landlord or agent refuses to allow you to do so or even asks for “visitation fees”, immediately run and report as that is a major red flag.

Verify the Landlord's Identity

To verify their identity, first ask for the landlord’s full name and contact details. When you have their data, search their information up online to confirm who they said they are. Only Legitimate agents or landlords would be easy to find online.

Use Trusted Rental Platforms

Always search for property listings using reputable property platforms like NextSix, as they are more secure and trustable than phone numbers you find on posters.

Avoid Wire Transfers

Never wire money to a landlord or agent, especially if they pressure you to do so. Use secure payment methods, such as checks or online payment platforms with transaction protection.

Demand a Written Lease

Before settling on the agreement, always insist that they provide a written lease agreement that clearly and specifically outlines all the terms and conditions of the rental hence ask for a copy of the written agreement for precaution.

Trust Your Instincts

If something doesn't feel right in your gut or if you noticed any of the red flags mentioned earlier, trust your instincts and walk away from the deal.

What to do if you're a victim?

Contact your local law enforcement like PDRM (Polis Diraja Malaysia) or directly to CCID(Commercial Crime Investigation Department) as they specialize in dealing with commercial crimes like fraud and scams. To help others prevent falling for them, you can put reviews or notify the platform, informing them about the scammer and making sure they ban the account.

By staying informed, conducting thorough research, and trusting your gut, you can navigate through the rental market safely and secure the perfect rental property for your needs. Remember, the old proverb still holds true: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.