A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 14, 2021

HOME RENTAL SCAMS 

Courtesy scambusters

Many persons are struggling with home rental payments. The same goes for those looking for a rental at a reasonable rate. Either way, scammers have them firmly in their sights.

Watch out for red flags when seeking help with a rental home. Despite a government freeze on evictions and some financial aid, troubled renters are subject to phony offers of help.

RED FLAGS

For those searching for a home to rent, here are some red flags to steer you away from scams in which the crook pretends to be offering a home he or she does not own:

*The rent is way lower than that for similar properties.

*Ads and messages use poor grammar and spelling errors. A common clue is overuse of initial capital letters.

*The “agent” offering the property refuses to let you speak to the owner, often making excuses about their non-availability.

*You’re asked to sign a rental agreement before you get to view the home. Never do this.

*You’re charged a fee to view the home.

*The agent makes an excuse about why you can’t view the inside of a home and asks you to make your decision on a simple outside viewing.

*You’re pressured to make a fast decision, usually on the spot.

Whether you’re struggling with an existing rental or viewing a new one, make sure you have a clear understanding of the rental agreement. Would-be renters should never hand over any money before checking out the agent or owners and having read the lease.

CAUTION

Here are tips to help steer clear of the crooks for both scenarios:

*Some of the scammers are posing as charitable or financial assistance organizations. The end result of their crime is to deepen the misery of those people who are already struggling, either by loading them with more debt or stealing their personal information for identity theft — sometimes both.

*No matter what kind of help they promise, scammers will tell you to give them money up front or hand over your personal information first. Both are dead giveaways that it’s a scam.

*Using a different approach, scammers offer rental homes at rock-bottom rates, luring those who are struggling in their present home to chase after these non-existent rentals, parting with yet more money in the form of advance rent.

*For those in need of financial assistance with rent, it’s worthwhile discussing this with the landlord to try to come to some staging payment arrangements.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

*Free help may be available.  For example, try the low-income assistance organization LawHelp.org.

*Be very wary of unsolicited offers of help. They’re usually scammers or loan sharks, or attach unacceptable conditions to any aid they give.

*Visit your state office of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You’ll find links to your state here.

Many states have their own emergency rental assistance funds. Conduct an online search on the name of your state plus “emergency rental assistance program.”

Know your rights on eviction. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently extended its moratorium of evictions for certain groups to the end of July. Some states also have their own rules.

A good source of information in a single place on this issue is a regularly updated page run by the consumer law organization NOLO: Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus.

Another is your local state and county court system. You can track them down at USA.gov’s page: State, County, and Municipal Courts.

Also, keep records of the whole process for possible follow up needs.

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