Renting a house we havent seen from a landlord in another country

SaintJudy

Zendetta said:

SaintJudy said:

I did a reverse image search on one of the pictures and it threw up the Rightmove ad from when it was for sale. Added in December and now marked as Sold STC. If it'd been withdrawn from the market it would've removed, not changed to Sold STC, so I reckon someone's stolen the pictures to make the Facebook listing.  Also, a 2 bed house in Zone 2 for £1305 a month is way too cheap!
rightmove.co.uk/properties/100959272#/

This is amazing work, little bit blown away that you found it again. £1305 is too cheap but thats why im almost too invested.
When we first saw the Facebook ad i found the property for sale @ Dexter's and was going to ask them for a viewing but then the ad was taken down, now im wondering if its because it was sold?
Have been to the location, it is what's advertised. Really only worry is the landlord the same person. He is emailing from the same account as listed in the landregistery but spoofing is a thing. 

It doesn't add up really does it. Might be worth emailing the estate agent if you really want to put your mind at rest, they'll be able to tell you if it's a legit rental listing or not  

Lunchbox

Zendetta said:

SaintJudy said:

I did a reverse image search on one of the pictures and it threw up the Rightmove ad from when it was for sale. Added in December and now marked as Sold STC. If it'd been withdrawn from the market it would've removed, not changed to Sold STC, so I reckon someone's stolen the pictures to make the Facebook listing.  Also, a 2 bed house in Zone 2 for £1305 a month is way too cheap!
rightmove.co.uk/properties/100959272#/

This is amazing work, little bit blown away that you found it again. £1305 is too cheap but thats why im almost too invested.
When we first saw the Facebook ad i found the property for sale @ Dexter's and was going to ask them for a viewing but then the ad was taken down, now im wondering if its because it was sold?
Have been to the location, it is what's advertised. Really only worry is the landlord the same person. He is emailing from the same account as listed in the landregistery but spoofing is a thing. 

This is 100% a scam, and it’s not even subtle, it’s got red flags all over it. This is a very, very common type of fraud in London. I live in a fairly rough Zone 4 area and a not particularly upmarket 3 bed terraced house will set you back £2,000 a month. This property should be at least another £1,000 a month.

zagubov

As a Londoner, I'd agree with others that that was an incredible amount of house for very little money.

HampshireH

Zendetta said:

SaintJudy said:

I did a reverse image search on one of the pictures and it threw up the Rightmove ad from when it was for sale. Added in December and now marked as Sold STC. If it'd been withdrawn from the market it would've removed, not changed to Sold STC, so I reckon someone's stolen the pictures to make the Facebook listing.  Also, a 2 bed house in Zone 2 for £1305 a month is way too cheap!
rightmove.co.uk/properties/100959272#/

This is amazing work, little bit blown away that you found it again. £1305 is too cheap but thats why im almost too invested.
When we first saw the Facebook ad i found the property for sale @ Dexter's and was going to ask them for a viewing but then the ad was taken down, now im wondering if its because it was sold?
Have been to the location, it is what's advertised. Really only worry is the landlord the same person. He is emailing from the same account as listed in the landregistery but spoofing is a thing. 

You sound like you may still be considering this property as a viable option....

Only worry is...

* Landlord doesn't exist

* Rent is way below market value (make no sense)

* Landlord doesn't comply with legal requirements
* Landlord won't allow a viewing

* Landlord hasn't indicated how you would receive the keys

There is more than one worry here 

Caz3121

OP have a look on YouTube for "Scamming a Gumtree Scammer - Joe Lycett"....should give you an idea on how these work

Lunchbox

HampshireH said:

Zendetta said:

SaintJudy said:

I did a reverse image search on one of the pictures and it threw up the Rightmove ad from when it was for sale. Added in December and now marked as Sold STC. If it'd been withdrawn from the market it would've removed, not changed to Sold STC, so I reckon someone's stolen the pictures to make the Facebook listing.  Also, a 2 bed house in Zone 2 for £1305 a month is way too cheap!
rightmove.co.uk/properties/100959272#/

This is amazing work, little bit blown away that you found it again. £1305 is too cheap but thats why im almost too invested.
When we first saw the Facebook ad i found the property for sale @ Dexter's and was going to ask them for a viewing but then the ad was taken down, now im wondering if its because it was sold?
Have been to the location, it is what's advertised. Really only worry is the landlord the same person. He is emailing from the same account as listed in the landregistery but spoofing is a thing. 

You sound like you may still be considering this property as a viable option....

Only worry is...

* Landlord doesn't exist

* Rent is way below market value (make no sense)

* Landlord doesn't comply with legal requirements
* Landlord won't allow a viewing

* Landlord hasn't indicated how you would receive the keys

There is more than one worry here 

The Facebook profile that posted the advert is also very obviously fake.

Zendetta

Hi all, i wont quote any specific person but just wanted to update in general as you've all be so helpful.
We arent going to take the property, or rather we arent going to paying anything until we have seen it. 
I almost want to send you the email thread as he is now "insulted we're wasting his time"... "we're being very rude".. Its all too odd. 
We did however already sign a contract (stupid i know) but we said we would need to see the house first. Which just leaves an strange situation where we have a legally binding contract and technically this place is ours in 2 weeks?
If this is all a scam is there a way i could let the actual house owner know?

Webxite

Just another Londoner adding my perspective. There's no way it's legitimate, price-wise - and I'm so, so glad you posted on here to check, so you haven't been added to the long list of people who have been caught out by this in London. What has the contract actually committed you to? I think it would be legitimate to say you'll hand over the first month's rent at the appointment for collection of keys. I'd also contact the selling estate agent, as they should be able to get hold of the real owner.

Another tack to take would be to get a friend to contact the 'landlord' asking to rent it, perhaps with some degree of urgency - like 'Hi, our other option has fallen through and we're urgently looking for somewhere to live in the next few weeks'. I suspect the scammer would be delighted to string two sets of renters along at the same time, and that would be a further bit of evidence. 

jimbog

Zendetta said:

 we arent going to paying anything until we have seen it. 
If this is all a scam 

It is a scam - even if you do get to see it
But I feel you are determined to go ahead regardless and you will lose your money

davidmcn

Zendetta said:

Which just leaves an strange situation where we have a legally binding contract 

Assuming it's a scam, then unless they've been daft enough to put their real details in the contract then it's not going to be "legally binding".