How to make sure rental lease isn t a scam?

Question

I need help. Okay so I posted an ad on craigslist looking for a home to rent directly from owner. someone msged me saying they had their house for sale but wanted to put it up for rent and its a 4bdrm 3 ba 3000 sq ft house. and they would rent it out to me for 1150. and same amount of deposit. they relocated to California because he had a surgery making it incapable of caring for his children on his own. He wrote up a lease. Hes given me very detailed information about documents he will be mailing to us when he sends the keys and also told us utilities will be included. Now this sounds incredibly too good to be true. How can I make sure this isn t a scam? Can I call the property management and ask for owners name and contact to see if it matches? would they give it to me. the "owner" says he doesn t want to go through realtor because he doesn t want to pay fees. Just need some advice on what to do.

Answer 1

It's a Nigerian scam. If someone really moved a local agent would handle the rental..they wouldn't post on Craigslist

It's a Nigerian scam. They steal pics of homes for sale off Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com then pretend they are the owner renting it out



The police won't track him as he's in Africa. They will ask for money through Moneygram or Western Unuon which can be picked up anywhere. You might think you are sending to New York but a scanner in Niferia can pick it up with the transaction number

The police will tell you it was your fault for renting without seeing it



Google the address or do a google images search of the pictures and you'll find it listed elsewhere with th agent's name be number.



Bait him -- tell him you went by the house and the lights were on so you rang the bell. Tell him the people who answered said THEY are the owners and are selling the place, not renting it, and they will be living there until it's sold. Ask him what is going on because they have now called the police.

Answer 2

I have no idea but if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. If I were selling a place that I didn't rent out, I wouldn't rent it so that the new owners would have to honor your lease. He may need the money. I would worry because he isn't around to do any repairs and I just find some of the stuff on Craig's lists strange to say the least. I would take that contract to a attorney and have him go over it to be sure what you are signing and that you understand all of it. It doesn't make sense to me.

Answer 3

It's a scam. You should NEVER sign a lease for a property that you have not been to unless it is through a valid property management company. He will soon ask for all your personal information and a deposit. You will never see the money, you will never get the keys and you will be screwed.

Answer 4

The first red flag is when a stranger gives you personal story in an email. You know it is a fake. He is not going to send you a lease or the keys. And usually the house is not theirs and he may be in Nigeria. If a property mgmt. company is handling the rental, you should contact them. But if he is not using a property mgmt. company, who are you talking about calling?

Answer 5

"Now this sounds incredibly too good to be true. How can I make sure this isn t a scam?" You visit and view the property you NEVER rent without seeing a place or seeing the landlord....... if it sounds too good to be true then listen to that, it will be too good to be true

Answer 6

100% Scam. You are most likely dealing with a scammer in West Africa.



He is just after your money.

Answer 7

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams