Starting the rental process can be tricky and stressful if not gone about the correct way. It is crucial to be wary during this time, unfortunately it is quite easy to fall into the hands of a scammer. Knowing who and what company you are speaking with is a necessity. No company should ever ask for any payment over the phone, or without any type of lease agreement signed. It is also important to look out for rental prices. Scammers will post rental listings for way below market value to catch the eyes of prospective renters. Red Flag!!! Ensure communication is transparent, the source is reliable, and there are no hidden fees. By following those 3 guidelines, you will surely avoid rental scams in Gwinnett County!
Communication
Communication is key in real estate! If the person you are communicating with seems to make you feel unsure, do your research! Double-check that the “agent” you are speaking with actually works with the property management company that is renting out the property. If need be, reach out to the company to ensure they have an employee by that name. There is no harm in being cautious, better safe than sorry!
Property Managers, agents, and owners know how important reliable communication is. With that being said, there are almost always multiple ways to reach out. If you have yet to see any company name or email from the said agent, it might come across as a red flag. Scammers will copy and paste the same listings under their own name, even with the company’s watermark still on it. Double check with the company to ensure that the prices, and names match up.
Source
When searching for rental properties, ensure that the sources you are looking at are reliable and accountable. Chances are if you are looking on Facebook Marketplace, it might be a little bit sketchy. Always look for the name/company of who posted the listing. It will either be a property management company, a realtor, or a single name (property owner). Perform research before inquiring to make sure it is a legitimate posting.
Often times scammers will take postings of current homes for rent and repost them with a significantly smaller rental price. This is what catches prospective renters’ eyes. To avoid falling for duplicate postings, search the home in question to verify that it is the only posting, and by the same company/name.
Hidden Fees
When moving into a rental home there should be no hidden costs. The property manager/ owner/ realtor should be completely upfront with you on prices. Some companies charge a small deposit ($2-$10) if they have self-guided tours; this is to protect the home against damage since there is no agent on the property. If the deposit to view the home is any more than that, chances are it is one of the many rental scams in Gwinnett.
If the home requires a payment upfront, look into it before sending anyone money. The process is quite cut and dry- you tour the home, pay a security deposit, and then a first month, or pro-rated rent, as well as a pet deposit if applicable. If the person you are speaking with tries throwing you other fees do your research before sending anything! You should never have to pay a deposit to view the home with no lease signed.
Avoiding rental scams seems nearly impossible, but if you perform extensive research on the properties, it should be no problem! Rental scammers just like to take your money, but it can be scary if they have your personal information as well. Prevent this by checking off all points as mentioned above, and you will steer clear of scammers!
If you are looking to move into Gwinnett County, contact us today and we will help you find the perfect rental home! If you own a home and would like to rent it out in Gwinnett County, reach out to us and we will be glad to assist you in the process!
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