Questions to ask before you rent a place

Rental scammers copy real listings, swap in their own contact details, and then take your money or your personal information.

Is the listing real?

• Does the address show up under another name?Search the address with the owner's or rental company's name. Other ads for the same address under a different name are a sign of a scam.
• Is it on the company's own website?Go to the rental company's own website. If the property isn't listed there, the ad may be a scam.
• Does the address exist?Look it up on a map before you go any further.
• Is the rent far below the area's?Rent a lot cheaper than most in the area can be a sign of a scam.
• Is the home listed for sale instead?A home listed for sale, not for rent, is a reason to be wary.

Who am I dealing with?

• Can I see your ID?For an agent, check that the ID matches the records.
• Do the property records show you as the owner?For a private landlord, the city or county tax assessment records show who owns the property.
• Can I reach you at a number I find myself?Contact the owner or company using contact details you already have or look up, not only what they sent you.
• What do other renters say?Search the owner or company with words like "complaint," "review" or "scam".

Can I see it, and how do I pay?

• Can I see it in person before I sign or pay?Look at the property first if you can. Fake owners often claim to be out of the country, or make other excuses not to show it.
• Is the self-guided tour from the real landlord?Scammers sometimes offer a self-guided tour copied from a real landlord's listing, so check who set it up.
• How do you want to be paid?Wiring money, sending gift cards or paying in cryptocurrency is the same as sending cash. Once it's gone, you probably can't get it back.

My own coverage

• What does the owner's insurance leave to me?The owner's insurance covers damage to the building, not your belongings. A renters policy covers those, and its liability part gives you a legal defense if you're sued. What renters insurance covers that the landlord's policy doesn't goes through the rest.

Vacation rentals

For a vacation rental, get a copy of the contract before you send any money. Call the front desk or the management office to confirm the property's location and details.