Potential Rental Scam

[Opara]

Hi, lads I was hoping to run a scenario by you and see if you could help me spot any potential pitfalls.

I've been looking for a new flat and spotted one on Gumtree at a good price.The landlord is living in Denmark at the moment and says he wants someone in there taking care of the place, and he will fly over to finalise the deal.He has shown me the rental agreement by email which looks fairly standard but he has stipulated that he wants a months rent as a deposit and a further two months rent upfront in cash.

Now if this is a scam i'm trying to work out how it would work.He say's he'll give me copies or show me his ID, I presume he means passport.Or he couldpull a switcheroo on the keys and give me some that don't work.

I'm just looking for ways to cover myself and avoid getting scammed, was hoping for some PH suggestions.

Cheers

[Eric Mc]

Is he/she British?
Does he have a residential UK address?

[Opara]

Hi, I believe he's Danish going by the name, and he's currently based there.He said he'll show me documents showing ownership of the flat and identification.He also says he'll be bringing a lawyer with him to the agreement signing.

[jas xjr]

have you actually viewed the flat ?

[aka_kerrly]

Christ, so effectively you pay 3 months rent in one hit before you even get the keys these days.

How much is rent these days? I'm wondering at what point it becomes more worthwhile to save for a few more months and put a 5% deposit down and buy somewhere?

[Countdown]

Does it sound anything like these?

http://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-ho...

http://www.scamwarners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2...

[londonagent]

For me this sounds very dodgy, they are trying to make it sound legitimate by saying they will fly in to seal the deal.
They will probably ask you to transfer the money to them by Western union and say their friend will meet you at the flat with the keys, you will get there and meet another 5 or so people who have been conned by this chap, who all think they are moving into the non-existant flat.

Go and register with a ARLA registered letting agent, it may be a more expensive round, but taking this flat could cost you a hell of a lot more.

[Perec]

Opara said:

Hi, lads I was hoping to run a scenario by you and see if you could help me spot any potential pitfalls.

I've been looking for a new flat and spotted one on Gumtree at a good price.The landlord is living in Denmark at the moment and says he wants someone in there taking care of the place, and he will fly over to finalise the deal.He has shown me the rental agreement by email which looks fairly standard but he has stipulated that he wants a months rent as a deposit and a further two months rent upfront in cash.

Now if this is a scam i'm trying to work out how it would work.He say's he'll give me copies or show me his ID, I presume he means passport.Or he couldpull a switcheroo on the keys and give me some that don't work.

I'm just looking for ways to cover myself and avoid getting scammed, was hoping for some PH suggestions.

Cheers

He might be in Denmark but he could easily be round the corner from you, having recently done a bunk from the flat which he rented and where he was several months behind with the rent. What better scam than to take the landlord for a few grand and then mug you for three months rent. In fact it's such a lucrative plan I am tempted to have a go myself.

Check on the Land Reg website and see whose name the title is in. It will take you five minutes and cost a few pounds. If it isn't the chap you're meeting you need a fair bit more info to demonstrate that the property is his to let.

[J012E]

As a landlord myself this does seem a little suspicious, I would do what the above PHers have suggested and look at land registry. I am based in London/kent and do not charge 3 months rent upfront or in cash especially.

Always try and have an audit trail of any transactions.

[Mobile Chicane]

Sounds scammy. Who on earth brings a lawyer to the signing of a tenancy agreement?

He could be the outgoing tenant, rather than the landlord, even if he shows you around the flat himself.

[Opara]

Cheers guys, it doesn't sound unlike the scams in the Independent links.I had a look at the area and didn't fancy it anyway, but I am starting to think it might have been a con.I'll see how he reacts now i've turned it down.

Thanks again

[Revisitph]

Opara said:

Cheers guys, it doesn't sound unlike the scams in the Independent links.I had a look at the area and didn't fancy it anyway, but I am starting to think it might have been a con.I'll see how he reacts now i've turned it down.

Thanks again

Pity you didn't get him over from "Denmark" (Denmark Hill?), have a look at the flat, ask how his flight from Denmark was, chat to the "lawyer" about his experience with scammers, take a crystal and a compass and, after taking readings in every room, decide that the Feng Shui didn't give out the right vibes so you wouldn't be taking the lease - and tell us about it.