is gumtree safe to find houses/flat to rent?

mchale

Beware of any LL who will let their property to you without asking you for any form of ID's, previous LL details, work details etc. As a genuine LL would want sum or all of that info.

debrag

All but about 2 of my flats/house shares I found through Gumtree.

lasci

I currently live in a flat I found on Gumtree and am very happy with the landlady. I specifically looked on Gumtree to find a private landlord so I could avoid paying agency fees, however what I did find was a lot of agencies advertising on there (which is fine) but calling themselves private landlords, and it was only when I went to view that I discovered it was in fact an agency.

I did see a lot of dodgy advertisements asking to send money first etc. (as some have post above) which I ignored, and some asking ridiculously low rents in very nice areas such as Mayfair, which I also ignored on the basis of if it looks too good to be true it probably is!

adg1

Gumtree is a great place as long as you don't go in blind. Be very aware that there are a lot of scams run through gumtree as there is no regulation on who posts there.

Avoid any Western Union money transfers, and parting with cash prior to seeing INSIDE a property and also make sure you get the full name of anyone you meet (get ID) and the full address - check these against the Land Registry for about £4 and you should avoid most well know scams.

Google gumtree scams and flat rentals and read up on what you find.

roses

Pssst wrote: »

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

Err, I used it to advertise to find a lodger.

And I used it when I was looking to somewhere to live when I lived in Bristol a few years ago.

Gumtree is fine. Many landlords use it so they don't have to pay rip off agent fees.

Just keep your head and don't pay any money until you have seen the house.

strawberries1

I found my North London flat thru loot 3years ago. I've always used Gumtree to advertise for lodgers and it's bn goo. I ask question see id etc before taking a lodger so I'll suggest u ask question etc before u sign up to a contract or commit financially.
Gumtree is very good for finding flatshare and flats to rent. Go for it but use common sense.
Good luck.

barnaby-bear

roses wrote: »

Err, I used it to advertise to find a lodger.

And I used it when I was looking to somewhere to live when I lived in Bristol a few years ago.

Gumtree is fine. Many landlords use it so they don't have to pay rip off agent fees.

Just keep your head and don't pay any money until you have seen the house.

and proof the LL is the LL and not someone with the keys for spurious reasons.... (subletting, friend of ex-tenant and flat in rental void, let the flat themselves on dodgy ID papers, dodgy rental agency employee)

dan_essex

thanks everyone, the advice is most helpful

barnaby-bear

dan_essex wrote: »

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.

Ask around at work? Anyone buying giving up ok rental, people moving onto new rental with diff. no. of tenants... personal recommendation always good....

jenny_f

as well as western union don't use money gram - just been victim to a scam - lost £700!