Top 7 Ways To Avoid Housing Rental Scams in Bennington
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Bennington may be a quaint, New England town in many regards, but it’s not immune to a growing trend of housing rental scams. With affordable housing so hard to find already, the possibility of scams only makes a difficult situation even more frustrating. At BCCH, we are constantly looking for housing opportunities to help our guests find permanent housing. Our case managers know the red flags to look out for when you’re seeking housing. If you are looking for an apartment to rent in Bennington, here are the top five ways you can keep yourself - and your hard-earned money - safe.
Show Me the Pictures - One immediate red flag is if the listing includes no pictures, just a couple of pictures, or if the pictures are poor qualify. A common tactic of scammers is to take pictures of homes that are not for sale from website such as Zillow and then posting the pictures as though they are of an apartment. Our case managers suggest Googling the apartment’s address first to make sure it really exists.
Money Up Front - Be cautious of rentals that ask you for money up from. It’s common practice for some landlords to ask for a $30 fee to cover the cost of a credit check, but you should not have to pay an application fee. You should not give the landlord any money at all until you’ve completed the application and seen the apartment in person.
Tour the Apartment in Person - If your prospective landlord will not let you tour the apartment or will only show you the outside, that should be a big red flag. Insist that you see the interior and if they do not, walk away.
Watch Out for Red Flag Payment Types - Another thing to watch out for is how the landlord wants you to pay. If they ask you to pay with cash, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, these are payment methods that are difficult to track and trace and are therefore the preferred payment method for scammers. Insist that you pay via check, or an established online payment method such as PayPal or Venmo. If they refuse, they may not be legitimate.
Check That Gift Horse’s Teeth - Another common technique for housing rental scams is to list rental opportunities that are significantly cheaper than the average for the area. The psychology behind this is that people who are desperate may be willing to overlook more obvious red flags in order to get a perceived great deal. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Put on Your Detective Hat - Look up the landlord's contact details, search for reviews, and cross-reference the property's information using reliable online sources. If possible, ask for references from previous tenants. Legitimate landlords should be open to providing such information, while scammers may hesitate or provide false details. This should be easy to do for housing corporations though may be difficult when renting rooms or in-law suites from individual homeowners.
Beware Less Regulated Websites - Some websites are more trustworthy than others. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are less regulated than other sites and are easy to list rentals for landlords, making them a favorite platform for scammers. These sites are more likely to offer housing opportunities from homeowners, such as individual rooms or in-law suites but be cautious when looking on these sites.
