is gumtree safe to find houses/flat to rent?

dan_essex

I'm moving with some friends soon and am trying to find the best websites/agencies to find properties. Gumtree has loads, but is it safe?

Has anyone here found a place on it? I've heard a few 'horror' stories of con men on there and would appreciate any tips on finding a place in london.

00ec25

its no worse than anywhere else, very few websites will vet LL adverts

2 simple rules:

- never ever ever ever respond to anyone asking you to do anything involving money sent via Western Union (they are cons)

- never pay any money before you have seen the place and make sure you see inside it

Pssst

I wouldnt trust anything on gumtree. Its full of ripoff merchants.

moneysaver12

I tried using it and all i got were people trying to get me to send money by western union.

dan_essex

thanks

anyone recomend places to look for a house/flat in North London? Obviously i know the regular estate agents, but would welcome any other advice

Absinthe_Fairy

My friend found her flat in South London through Gumtree - she loves it and has had no problems.

Obviously be careful but don't rule it out altogether.

orangeslimes

I think you just need to be cautious and not rush into anything. I found where I am living now through gumtree and it is fine...I put a wanted ad up with just my email address and only followed up the ones who replied and seemed human/friendly.

charliee_3

i found 2 rents through gumtree, a house-share and a private flat rent. When we needed to advertise for a new person for the houseshare we'd always use gumtree. I know there are rip-offs on there, but i always met the person and wouldn t have rented off anyone who seemed shady i never really had any problems. When we were renting we'd get a few weirdos and people who blatantly were't genuine (asking for houses for their 'models' etc).. i think as long as you are careful you are fine

barnaby-bear

dan_essex wrote: »

thanks

anyone recomend places to look for a house/flat in North London? Obviously i know the regular estate agents, but would welcome any other advice

university and hospital staff bulletin boards for house shares - if you know anyone who works there or occassionally can access even if you don't - or large employers often have a noticeboard - if you stick to looking in places where professionals advertise, who do jobs you / your friends do (i.e. similar lifestyles) it often works out.....

dan_essex

barnaby-bear wrote: »

university and hospital staff bulletin boards for house shares - if you know anyone who works there or occassionally can access even if you don't - or large employers often have a noticeboard - if you stick to looking in places where professionals advertise, who do jobs you / your friends do (i.e. similar lifestyles) it often works out.....

there are 3 of us moving to london and we all have new jobs there. So we're all looking for a house/flat together.

JoeA81

Me and my GF found our west London flat throught gumtree - no problem. Viewed about 5 or 6 in the process too, all found through gumtree and all seemed genuine. Just use your common sense, gauge how people sound on the phone, ask lots of questions that only someone who was really the landlord would know, and once you get to look round the property you should be reasonably sure by that point if they are genuine or not. All the flats we looked at had good photos in the advert, I dont know if that makes a difference, but it proves that the place at least exists!

At the end of the day gumtree probably has more rental adverts than anywhere else, so you would be severely limiting your choice if you chose to not use it