How to Spot & Avoid Scammers when using R4Y Flatshare/ Room Rental Services

View The Property

Always make plans to visit the property you are interested in, never commit to a lease just from photos and written promises. We always suggest you take a friend with you to have a look, there is a lot more safety in pairs and your friend might notice something you don't. If you cant take a friend make sure somebody knows where you are and when to expect you back.

Would You Live With A Bully?

Most landlords are good people and just looking for some company or the extra cash to help with their rent or mortgage payments. They are seldom pushy or anxious. If somebody is trying to rush or bully you into making a quick payment, they are probably scammers. Please, please, please be weary of overzealous landlords - after all would you like to live with a bully?

Your Details Are Personal Keep It That Way

Whilst it's good to be up front with your prospective 'new' landlord make sure you dont tell them too much so they could escape with this new information or your ID and commit fraud. Remember your only viewing a room not visiting the doctor! Only share the necessities until you get to know them a bit more or at least have met them. Never send copies of your ID over the internet it really shouldn't be necessary.

Transfers - Dont Do It!

Never ever use services such as Western Union etc. to pay your deposit, your rent or anything . There are far too many reported scams of people sending money and never seeing it again. The reason for these problems is that this service is not as regulated as banks and cannot be traced. If you have to make a transfer use online banking or send it through your own high street bank to another high street bank account, this greatly reduces the chance of disappearing landlords and cash!

Overseas Transactions

If a 'genuine' landlord is away on a business/work trip they would be happy to commit to a return date, and also do their best to arrange a viewing of the property in there absence. Such actions may be genuine, but please do bear in mind that a lot of scams are generated from overseas. Only commit to the property once you've seen it and either met the landlord, a representative and hopefully the other tenants, if any.

Deposits

Paying a deposit (sometimes called a Bond) is normal once you have seen the property, agreed to the rates and set a moving in date. The deposit is normally 2 weeks in advance for an unfurnished room or 4 weeks if furnished but can usually be negotiated with the landlord. Paying somebody a 'holding deposit' is not normal and not suggested, but may be considered once you have seen the room.

Get A Contract

Tenancy agreements are there to protect you as much as the landlord so make sure you have a good read through and question anything you are not clear about or comfortable with. You will often be asked to sign an inventory of items within the space you are renting and that you are responsible for. Make sure you check these items and make notes of their condition on the inventory before signing, once you and the landlord have signed the paper work make sure you get to keep a copy.

Receipt

Get a receipt for every payment you make. Have a look at our resources page to get a copy of a receipt that you can use. The best advice we can give you is that if it doesn't feel right or sounds too good to be true then start asking questions and do not be afraid to walk away.

Viewing The Property

Always allow your new tenants to view the property before you agree to let a room to them. Even if you don't live in the property, it's good to meet the person who will be living in your house. If you need to cancel then make sure you can offer another time straight away and then don't change them again. It's always best to make sure you have a friend available to assist with the viewing to make sure that if more than one person comes at the same time nobody is left alone.

Transfers - Dont Ask!

Never ask tenants to pay by transfers through agents such as Western Union or similar. There are just too many reports of scams out there to make this a safe option for the tenant and you don't want them to get the wrong idea by suggesting it. Asking for a bank transfer is generally acceptable as this can be tracked by yourself and the new tenant.

Deposits / Bonds

Make sure you get a deposit for your room. Generally 2 weeks for unfurnished and 4 weeks for furnished although you may prefer something different or to negotiate a deposit that is acceptable to both you and the tenant. Whatever the amount make sure you get one and that it is sensible. You should obtain the deposit before the person moves in. For more information on how to lodge your deposit/bond please refer to the direct.gov tenancy deposit guidelines.

Write A Contract

Tenancy agreements and contracts are there to protect you and the tenant. You can either write your own or use a standard one. Visit our resources page to use a 'standard rental contract' we have prepared for you. But remember it may not suit your exact requirements, so make sure you read it thoroughly and amend it where appropriate. It is also a good idea to provide a condition report / inventory of the condition of the property and it's contents. Make sure you give the tenant enough time to read the forms properly, then sign it and provide them with a copy. You can find a template for a condition report in our resources page.

Receipts

Write a receipt for every payment you receive. Have a look at our resources page to get a template of a receipt that you can use. If you keep a regular copy of receipts it's easy to show that you have documented all payments should there be problems if the tenant stop paying.

watch out for funny email address' too!

watch out for funny email address' too! I just got scamed by darftvader!