Help on gumtree renting!!!!

lyndsey01

I have recently been looking into renting a flat privately in the north London area (Camden, Islington< kings Cross etc). I have chosen to go private to avoid the rip off agency fees. However, after looking at the adverts on Gumtree for flats in these areas, many seem too cheap!! I have never heard of 2 bed flats in these ares going for only 600pcm? It hasnt even been just the odd one advert either, there are many. After emailing the so called owners, they all seem to be so desperate in renting their property to someone who will look after their house, rather than getting the higher amount normally asked. Also many seem to convieniantly be out of the country. What scams are going on? Call me cynical but 'u dont get owt for nowt'.

Any advice peeps?????

Enfieldian

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2157643

Triker

Yes its a scam, stay well away.

lyndsey01

Thanks a lot. This link really helped. Its definately backed up my suspisions. Im not as naive as i thought. Phew!

Angelic

Gumtree is a scammers paradise and £600 pcm for a 2 bed Camden flat is as genuine as the advert I saw for a 2007 Mini Cooper for £2k:rolleyes::rotfl:

You've had a lucky escape!

stev1664

Not surprising that most ads on there are actually posted by agents who end up asking you for that agency fee anyway, its very hard to find private renters on gumtree!

property.advert

lyndsey01 wrote: »

I have recently been looking into renting a flat privately in the north London area (Camden, Islington< kings Cross etc). I have chosen to go private to avoid the rip off agency fees. However, after looking at the adverts on Gumtree for flats in these areas, many seem too cheap!! I have never heard of 2 bed flats in these ares going for only 600pcm? It hasnt even been just the odd one advert either, there are many. After emailing the so called owners, they all seem to be so desperate in renting their property to someone who will look after their house, rather than getting the higher amount normally asked. Also many seem to convieniantly be out of the country. What scams are going on? Call me cynical but 'u dont get owt for nowt'.

Any advice peeps?????

Prior to returning to the UK earlier this year I was looking for a flat in North London as well. In areas I know very well and used to live in, I came across all manner of these scams. I have posted at least one here.

As you rightly point out, they all have a reason for not being at the property. They sometimes ask you to send money to your friend by Western Union and show them the receipt to prove you have the money. It is all a scam.

I contacted Gumtree and pushed them and they did say they would be improving their vetting process. What vetting process ? I suggested making people pay to lodge such adverts. Even a small charge would deter many of them and that charge would raise money to allow them to actually undertake some vetting. They are not interested.

In the end, I surmised that around 80% or more were scammers in the first quarter of 2009.

One thing you can do is to ask them to give you the full address and whether they own the property. You can them pay £2 to the Land Registry online to see if they do indeed own the property. If they are legitimate, then they have nothing to hide as it is publicly available information.

Another one is to ask where they will be holding your deposit and how it would be repaid to you. Ask them who the current electricity and gas suppliers are as well what telephone provision there is. Is the property in an area where Virgin Cable is available ? What is the Council Tax rate ? What is the name of the nearest large supermarket and how far is the nearest bus stop (be careful here as that is available on https://www.tfl.gov.uk). What is the name of the nearest pub and is it any good ?

You can see where I am going with this. Only people who really know the property and area could answer these questions. If I was a landlord, I would not mind answering.

I found that my posting an advert for accommodation wanted drew around 95% scammers.

In the end, I managed to find a few and came back to stay in a hotel. Within 2 weeks on the ground I had secured a place.

Also note that a couple of places I went to see and would have considered were subsequently let to people who paid at least a holding deposit on the day. That was after the landlord saying they would review all applicants. The property I got I felt confident with (not 100% but hey) but I needed somewhere as I was bleeding cash in the hotel. I was perhaps lucky but if you don't show something, my experience is that the private landlord will take the first offer of some cash from a prospective tenant who he thinks will be ok.

If you think carefully, you can weed them out. They let themselves down in so many ways, often by their poor grammar or photos which show rooms which could not really be from the same property. It is your desperation to secure a property which makes you overlook these facts and you have to stand back. Doing your homework a little and checking the Land Registry is the way to go.

lyndsey01

Yes i understand completely. I have noticed the grammer and poor local knowledge. However, your tips are very useful re: land registry etc. Its much appreciated.

lyndsey01

The one problem i that i have is that unfortunately i have a poor credit score and many agents ask for credit checks these day and therefore i am unable to use many agents. Anyone know of an agents in North London i dont need a credit check!

ET1976

Not an answer to your question, but personally I would be wary of any landlord who doesn't do a credit check. To me, that smacks of amateur-ism, and may mean they don't manage your tenancy correctly.

You can often overcome a poor credit score by paying several months rent up front.

sjcollett

You can also try VirtualLetz.com where private landlords advertise (as they don't want to pay high agency fees either!). You can also list your property wanted ad - so that landlords can contact you direct.