Today\u2019s rental market is a competitive place, so when you find the perfect spot it can be tempting to just sign on the dotted line and hope for the best. Sadly, there are more and more scammers who are taking advantage of this opportunity to dupe unsuspecting applicants out of their hard-earned cash.<\/p>\n
David Jacobs, Gauteng regional manager for the Rawson Property Group, shares some of the more common rental scams and explains how best to protect yourself against them.<\/p>\n
The Branded Faker<\/strong><\/p>\n The scam:<\/strong><\/p>\n You arrive at a rental property and are handed an application on a pristine letterhead from a well-known and reputable agency. The place looks perfect, but you\u2019re told that there\u2019s a lot of interest so you need to be quick.<\/p>\n Convinced, you sign the lease and transfer your deposit without hesitation. When moving day arrives, however, your \u201cagent\u201d has mysteriously disappeared leaving you with nowhere to stay and little hope of recovering your deposit.<\/p>\n The solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cUsing a letting agent from a branded agency is a good choice from a safety perspective,\u201d said Jacobs, \u201cbut you need to confirm that they really are who they say they are before you take them at face value. Scammers are forging documents on branded letterheads to take advantage of prospective tenants, so documentation is no longer reliable proof of a legitimate mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n To avoid getting caught out, Jacobs urges applicants to double check their agent\u2019s credentials before signing anything. This is best done by visiting the brand\u2019s central website to find the branch or franchise\u2019s details and give them a call to confirm the agent\u2019s accreditation.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t call the number provided by the agent in question, as this could be fake,\u201d said Jacobs. \u201cAlways go directly to the central brand and get the necessary contact details from there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Development Dodge<\/strong><\/p>\n The scam:<\/strong><\/p>\n You arrive at a new development to view one of the newly completed units, but your agent has accidentally misplaced the keys. That\u2019s okay \u2013 you can view the place through the windows, or even visit a similar, but not-yet-finished unit to decide whether you want to apply for the lease.<\/p>\n You like what you can see, so you transfer your deposit and start packing your stuff for move-in day. When that day comes, you arrive at the apartment only to discover that it was never available, and your \u201cagent\u201d has absconded with your deposit and your first month\u2019s rent.<\/p>\n The solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThis particular scam is almost exclusive to new developments,\u201d said Jacobs, \u201cso it\u2019s a good idea to be extra cautious in this kind of situation. Try not to rent a property that you haven\u2019t seen in person, and always double check your agent\u2019s credentials before transferring any money. This is easier to do if they\u2019re part of a big brand, but can also be done via the EAAB.\u201d<\/p>\n The (un)Happy Holiday<\/strong><\/p>\n The scam:<\/strong><\/p>\n You browse online media and find a beautiful holiday property for short-term rental. You get in touch with the listing agent and pay your deposit. When you arrive at your destination, kids in tow and sunscreen in hand, you discover eight or nine other families have also booked the same property, and the letting agent is nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n The solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cHoliday rental scams can be harder to spot,\u201d said Jacobs, \u201cbecause it\u2019s usually impossible to view the property in person, or meet the landlord or agent face to face. Because of this, it\u2019s doubly important to do your homework before you hand over any cash. Do some Googling, find some reviews if possible, and always confirm all details for the property, agent and\/or landlord.\u201d<\/p>\n The Disappearing Deposit<\/strong><\/p>\n The scam:<\/strong><\/p>\n You find a great rental property and sign a private lease directly with the landlord. You pay your deposit and move in \u2013 everything is hunky-dory. Unbeknownst to you, your landlord has taken your deposit and spent it. When you decide to move out, they don\u2019t have the money to refund you.<\/p>\n The solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThis situation is most easily avoided by using a letting agent registered with the EAAB,\u201d said Jacobs. \u201cDoing so not only ensures your agent is aware of their legal obligations, but also provides recompense if they fail to fulfil their responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n If you absolutely have to go the private lease route, Jacobs recommends asking your landlord for ongoing proof that your deposit remains in an interest-bearing account throughout the lease period.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are completely within your rights to ask for regular bank statements to this effect,\u201d he said. \u201cIf your landlord refuses to provide them, chances are something dodgy is going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
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