Renting a new apartment should be an exciting and fun-filled experience. Unfortunately, there are some deceptive practices that can make renting a new apartment stressful and costly. Here, you will learn a few safety measures to practice when looking for a new apartment.
Meet the Landlord or Manager
You may find an apartment listed online, contact the manager or landlord and set up a time to see the property. When you arrive, you find a note on the door stating that the door is unlocked and you can check the apartment out at your leisure. This is a red flag! You should never enter an apartment without the manager or landlord accompanying you. You want a face-to-face meeting with the person you will be renting from. If it seems the landlord or manager is avoiding you, you would do best to walk away and find a different apartment.
Trust Your Gut
If you find an apartment in the perfect location, the perfect size, and the rent is lower than surrounding apartments, you may have stumbled across the "too good to be true" situation. If your gut is telling you that this deal is too good to be true, it probably is. The lease could be fraudulent, the apartment could be infested with bugs or rodents, or there could be other problems you do not notice until after you have signed the lease.
Always Tour the Apartment
Never take online photos too seriously. In most cases, they will give you a general idea of what the apartment looks like, but there is no way of knowing when the picture was taken, what type of camera lens was used, or how the picture was manipulated before it was posted online. Never pay for or sign a lease without touring the apartment and the building. If you cannot make the time to inspect the building and apartment yourself, ask a friend or family member to do it for you.
Take Your Time
If you feel that the manager or landlord is rushing you into signing the lease or paying a deposit before you get to tour it, walk away. There is no reason to feel rushed when considering an apartment. Some scam artists will use this tactic to get your money for an apartment that is not even for rent.
The best way to protect yourself from scams is by being aware of the tactics they use and working with a reputable apartment rental company. Talk with the professionals at a local apartment rental company like Bonita Terrace Apartments to find apartments that will suit your needs and avoid the potential loss of money you could experience by going at it on your own.
Share30 October 2014
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