Renting from private landlord via Gumtree

SlovakianGuy

Hi all! I know there are similar threads but some are closed and some are not exactly what I wanted to know....

So, I found an advert on Gumtree, offering a house for rent. I went there today and met a guy who said he is not the owner but "representing someone who is living in France". That discouraged me immediately, but it's not necessarily a scam, is it?
I still want to ask you guys what do you think. And if you liked the property, what would you do to prevent yourself falling a victim of potential scam?

The advert also says "Credit reference checks will be applied for at the cost of each prospective tenant. Guarantors not accepted."


Is this a normal procedure or looks more like scammer's modus operandi?

Slithery

SlovakianGuy wrote: »

So, I found an advert on Gumtree, offering a house for rent. I went there today and met a guy who said he is not the owner but "representing someone who is living in France.

The next thing you know they'll want the deposit transferred via Western Union.

Scam - Avoid at all costs.

jonnygee2

So, I found an advert on Gumtree, offering a house for rent. I went there today and met a guy who said he is not the owner but "representing someone who is living in France".

Not necessarily a scam, but very likely to be. What does he mean 'representing'? What exactly is his relationship with the owner? What role will he play in the letting? Who will be responsible for repairs etc. Even if it's not a scam, doesn't mean it will be a good place to rent!!!

BUT a friend of mine recently rented a place they were convinced at first was a scam, but persisted an it turned out to be a very good deal. They now rent four bed house in Dulwhich for what could be described as peanuts. But this is the exception not the rule.

Here are the steps they took;

- Got the owner information from the Land Registry https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk/eservices/FindAProperty/view/QuickEnquiryInit.do

- Looked the owner up on Linkedin, Facebook and on the officer search on companies house.

- They found a company in their name which was a legitimate trading business and found their face on Linkedin with information matching the company

- Asked to skype the owner directly to talk about the property (obviously to check the faces, age etc) matched the other information they had gathered).

So, IF you think its worth it...

Cakeguts

It is always a scam if the owner of the property doesn't live in the same country.

Marvel1

SlovakianGuy wrote: »

So, I found an advert on Gumtree, offering a house for rent. I went there today and met a guy who said he is not the owner but "representing someone who is living in France".

I would look elsewhere, sounds like a scam.

jimbog

Remember too that just because you hope it isn't a scam doesn't lessen the chance that it is

[Deleted User]

I'd google the name of the owner, the 'representative' (bit strange he doesn't call himself the agent), ask for proof of ID of each and do the above.

However, none of these steps will protect you against a scam from someone who knows a forger and is a professional at scamming.

csgohan4

I used Gumtree three times:


Firstly: the agent I rented off went to Jail ,


the second guy was a rubbish house in London, left after 1 month,


3rd one wasn't too bad, cheap


I would avoid Gumtree, not worth the risk

davidmcn

Cakeguts wrote: »

It is always a scam if the owner of the property doesn't live in the same country.

I take it you mean "when it's advertised on Gumtree and you're dealing with some vague non-professional 'agent'?" Obviously it's pretty commonplace for landlords to live in a different country.

At least the OP has met a real person and seen the inside of the property - the typical Gumtree scam involves paying upfront before you even get a viewing (because the property is completely fictional and the scammer probably isn't in the UK).

Cakeguts

davidmcn wrote: »

I take it you mean "when it's advertised on Gumtree and you're dealing with some vague non-professional 'agent'?" Obviously it's pretty commonplace for landlords to live in a different country.

At least the OP has met a real person and seen the inside of the property - the typical Gumtree scam involves paying upfront before you even get a viewing (because the property is completely fictional and the scammer probably isn't in the UK).

Yes that is what I meant. It is the combination of it being on Gumtree and the owner living in a different country.



Of course there is another scam where someone rents a property on airbnb and then pretends that they are letting it as either they are the landlord or they are representing the landlord.



I have just thought of another one. Someone breaks into a property that is vacant and then lets it. The problem is that it is on Gumtree and the owner is not present that makes me feel that this is not what it seems.

SlovakianGuy

Thank you guys! I asked him a few questions and here's the response:

"The plan is the find a tenant who will look after the property, pay on time, and someone who is able to pay the deposit plus the rent. A credit search will be undertaken however The owner is flexible on the outcome of this as long as the applicant is honest of any financial concerns at the outset. The applicant will pay £40 for this service at the time of applying to become the tenant. A 12 month contract will be then entered upon a satisfactory agreement. Upon the agreement commencing, all contact will be between yourself and the home owner or her family who reside close by. There is no maximum term as long as the vm tract is adhered to.

I do need to know quickly though as I have a few parties interested from yesterday"