Protecting Yourself from Rental Listings: A Guide for Renters
John Doss • March 23, 2025
What Are Rental Scams?
At Doss & Spaulding Properties, we prioritize the safety and satisfaction of tenants, ensuring they find homes without unnecessary stress or risk. Unfortunately, rental scams are a growing concern in today's competitive housing market, and we want to empower renters with the knowledge to protect themselves. In this article, we’ll explore common rental scams, red flags to watch for, and actionable tips to avoid falling victim.
Rental scams occur when fraudsters deceive prospective tenants by advertising fake properties or posing as landlords to steal money or personal information. These scams can result in financial loss, identity theft, or wasted time and energy. Being informed is your first line of defense against these schemes.
Common Types of Rental Scams
- Fake Listings for Non-existent Properties: Scammers often create listings for properties that don’t exist or aren’t available for rent. They may use stolen photos from legitimate listings to make their ads look convincing.
- Bait-and-Switch Scams: You’re drawn in by an attractive listing, only to discover that the advertised property isn’t available. Instead, you’re shown a less desirable unit while being pressured to sign a lease.
- Imposter Landlords: Fraudsters pose as property owners or managers and claim they can’t meet in person due to travel or other excuses. They may ask for deposits or rent payments upfront without providing proof of ownership.
- Phishing for Personal Information: Some scammers use fake rental applications to collect sensitive personal information—such as Social Security numbers or bank account details—for identity theft.
- Upfront Payment Scams: You’re asked to pay a security deposit, application fee, or even the first month’s rent before you’ve seen the property or signed a lease agreement.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Rental Scam
Keep an eye out for these warning signs when searching for your next rental:
- Too-good-to-be-true prices: If the rent is significantly lower than similar properties in the area, it could be a trap.
- Pressure to act quickly: Scammers often create urgency to prevent you from verifying details.
- Unwillingness to meet in person: Legitimate landlords should be willing to show you the property and discuss terms face-to-face.
- Requests for unusual payment methods: Be cautious if asked to pay via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash—these are hard to trace and recover.
- Poorly written listings: Typos, grammatical errors, and vague descriptions are often signs of fraudulent ads.
- No lease agreement: A legitimate landlord will always provide a written lease outlining terms and conditions.
How Tenants Can Protect Themselves
At Doss & Spaulding Properties, we encourage tenants to take proactive steps when searching for rentals:
- Always Visit the Property: Never agree to rent a home you haven’t seen in person (or virtually through a reputable platform). This ensures the property exists and matches the description.
- Verify Ownership: Research the landlord or property manager’s credentials. You can check public property records online or contact local authorities if something feels suspicious.
- Use Trusted Platforms: Stick with well-known rental websites or work directly with reputable property management companies like ours. There are TONS of rental scams on sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Professional management companies do not advertise on those sites.
- Read the Lease Carefully: Don’t rush into signing anything without reviewing the lease thoroughly. If something seems unclear, ask questions before committing.
- Protect Your Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive details—such as your Social Security number—until you’ve verified the legitimacy of the landlord and the rental process.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off about a listing or interaction, walk away and explore other options.
- Conduct Online Research: Use tools like reverse image searches on listing photos to see if they’ve been used elsewhere online—a common tactic in fraudulent ads.
What To Do If You Suspect a Rental Scam
If you believe you’ve encountered a scam:
- Report it immediately to local law enforcement and consumer protection agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Notify the website where the listing was posted so they can remove it promptly.
- Warn others by sharing your experience on forums or social media platforms dedicated to renters’ safety.
Why Work With Doss & Spaulding Properties?
Navigating the rental market can be overwhelming, but working with a trusted property management company eliminates many risks associated with scams. At Doss & Spaulding Properties, we ensure every tenant has access to verified listings, transparent leasing processes, and dedicated support throughout their rental journey.
We're committed to providing a safe and transparent rental experience. If you have any concerns about a listing or encounter suspicious activity, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help you find your perfect rental home safely and securely. Contact us today if you’re ready to start your search with trusted professionals!
The “Buy, Borrow, Die” strategy has become a cornerstone of tax-efficient wealth-building for savvy real estate investors. This approach, popularized by tax law professor Edward McCaffery, allows individuals to grow, leverage, and transfer wealth while minimizing tax liabilities. In this guide, we’ll explore how this strategy works in real estate, its benefits and risks, and how to implement it effectively.
For savvy real estate investors, building wealth isn’t just about buying and selling properties—it’s about maximizing returns, minimizing taxes, and making every dollar work harder. Two of the most powerful tools for achieving these goals are 1031 exchanges and reverse 1031 exchanges. When used strategically, these exchanges can supercharge portfolio growth and play a critical role in the popular “buy, borrow, die” generational wealth-building strategy. Here’s what every investor should know.
As a landlord or tenant, ensuring transparency and accountability during the rental process is essential for maintaining a positive relationship and avoiding disputes. One of the most effective tools to achieve this is the property assessment form, completed at both the start and end of each tenancy. This document serves as a detailed record of the property’s condition, protecting both parties and setting clear expectations. At Doss & Spaulding Properties, we strongly enforce this practice, and in this blog, we’ll explain why it’s in everyone’s best interest to make property assessments a standard part of your leasing process.
Investing in single-family rentals or small multifamily properties can be a great way to build wealth, but success starts with thorough due diligence. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s essential to uncover potential risks and ensure the property aligns with your investment goals. At Doss & Spaulding Properties, we’ve created this concise checklist to guide you through the key areas to investigate before purchasing your next rental property.
The Essential Professional Services Every Landlord Needs
Selling a property that is currently occupied by tenants presents unique opportunities and challenges. While it can be an attractive proposition for certain buyers, it may also limit your options or complicate the sales process. Below, we explore the pros and cons of keeping a tenant in place while selling your home.
North Carolina's Landlord-Friendly Rental Market: A Comprehensive Guide for Property Owners
As a tenant, you may encounter various maintenance issues during your tenancy. This comprehensive guide addresses frequently asked questions about common problems and provides practical solutions to help you navigate these challenges effectively.
As a landlord or property manager, rejecting rental applicants is sometimes necessary. However, it's crucial to handle this process carefully to avoid potential discrimination lawsuits and other legal issues. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to turn down an applicant properly with solid reasons.
As a landlord, keeping your rental properties in top condition is crucial for tenant satisfaction, property value, and long-term profitability. Property maintenance is a key aspect of property management that helps prevent costly repairs and ensures your properties remain attractive to tenants year-round. This guide will walk you through essential maintenance tasks for each season, helping you stay organized and proactive in your landlording efforts.
