Urgent question about renting from Gumtree

kirstylyn

Hi, hope you can help me. I have seen a property which I like and want to view and I expect we shall take it. However, the property is in London and the Landlady lives in Glasgow and she has requested we pay the deposit and one months rent in advance before we even view the flat, to make sure we are serious and have the funds available.

Has anyone had this request of them? I just want to check it is safe before I go ahead with this.

AlwaysWorking

PLEASE PLEASE do not do this! No reputable landlord would EVER ask you to do this - it sounds like a complete con. If the landlady lives in Glasgow she should get an agent/friend to do the viewings. What happens if you don't like the property? The chances are that you'll never see the money again...she may not even own it!!!

thegibdog

+1 for the above post, I was about to say the same.

Mini_Bear

As AlwaysWorking says - DONT DO IT!!!

mnj1x

kirstylyn wrote: »

Hi, hope you can help me. I have seen a property which I like and want to view and I expect we shall take it. However, the property is in London and the Landlady lives in Glasgow and she has requested we pay the deposit and one months rent in advance before we even view the flat, to make sure we are serious and have the funds available.

Has anyone had this request of them? I just want to check it is safe before I go ahead with this.

can't believe that anyone can seriously consider entertaining such a request ..

kirstylyn

Okay, thank you for this, it just says on Gumtree's estate agency page that this is something they do:
"If the Landlord doesn't live in the same city where is located his property to rent, Gumtree requests a warranty deposit to be made by the Tenant, as a proof of good will and commitment to rent the property, and have the necessary funds available...This transaction uses Western Union as method of making a deposit. The Tenant will have to make a warranty deposit equally with the sum of one month rent, and the security deposit, before meeting the Landlord, inspect and rent the property"


I am very confused, I thought Gumtree was legit...

sarah_elton

Google "gumtree rent western union scam"

Don't touch any deal involving Western Union with a barge-pole.

And never hand over your deposit or rent until the point where you sign the tenancy agreement.

kirstylyn

Thank you for all your help, I will look for somewhere else.

joolsybools

Be very very careful with Gumtree, lots of dodgy people on there. Have a look at their forums here http://forums.gumtree.com/forum1.html

NEVER EVER pay any money to anyone before you view a flat. NEVER EVER do any transactions involving Western Union or Moneygram.

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

FraudBuster

From Gumtree:

• Never send or wire money to sellers or buyers. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Gumtree. It is our belief that these forms of funds transfer are favoured by fraudsters.

http://www.gumtree.com/help/stay_safe

theGrinch

OP, you have posted as you smell a rat. Go with that instinct. Its a RED FLAG for sure! Its a scam.

Never ever part with money before you have physically seen whats on offer.

The fact the landlady isnt in London despite trying to let a London property is plain daff on her behalf at best! On a separate point, if you wish to rent privately, make sure your landlord is local when you have problems that need rectifying. It just makes it quicker and more efficient all round.