Is it possible to be a victim of rental fraud?

Searching for an apartment should be fun and exciting, but rental fraud can turn a positive experience into a negative one. While most listings are legitimate, it’s important for renters to learn how to identify and avoid fraudulent listings and rental scams.

How to know if a landlord is committing fraud?

Rental laws require the charges to be reasonable, and therefore you may need to get written estimates from other service professionals for the same repairs to see whether the landlord is committing fraud.

How to tell if an apartment listing is fake?

Here are a few tips for identifying fake listings: Listings Lack an Address or Pictures: If a listing lacks an address or photos, it is more likely to be fake. If an address and exterior pictures are provided, you can verify the rental using Google Street View.

When is a landlord guilty of a theft?

A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully transfers, or exercises unlawful control over, immovable property of another or any interest therein with intent to benefit himself or another not entitled thereto. As a landlord, our property is the rental and any capitol we may gain.

How to avoid fraud when renting an apartment?

To avoid this fraud, ask for copies of receipts as soon as repairs are made. Make the request in writing, especially if the repairs are made after you move out. A common fraudulent practice is for the landlord to claim that they spent many hours cleaning or repairing an item and billing you for their time.

Rental laws require the charges to be reasonable, and therefore you may need to get written estimates from other service professionals for the same repairs to see whether the landlord is committing fraud.

What to do if you are victim of moving fraud?

If you have been the victim of moving fraud and the move was across state lines, learn how to file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you have a complaint involving an intrastate move (a move within the boundaries of a state), contact your state or local regulatory authority.

How can I find out if my Landlord is violating my lease?

Do your research ahead of time to learn as much as you can about your landlord. Ask other tenants and even check court cases to see whether legal action has been taken (and won) against the landlord for previous violations of rental laws. This will help you to avoid landlords that cause problems for tenants.