Rental scams in Vancouver and across Canada have been on the rise for years, but COVID-19’s slow-down of in-person property viewings and interactions with landlords may make it even harder for people to figure out what’s legitimate online.
A recent article published by Vancouver is
Awesome narrates an incident where the scammer even met the Burnaby
residents in person pretending to be the landlord of the unit advertised on
craigslist and then later fleeing away with their money.
Don’t Wait for Keys to be Couriered:
No
company/landlord will send you keys to the property without meeting with you or
having you see the home. If someone offers to send you keys in exchange for
money, it’s probably a scam. We have heard plenty of horror stories about
people who sign a lease and send a security deposit, but they are still waiting
for keys to the property.
These
craigslist rental scams are no new stories, so the renter must be alert and
aware. Here are some tips to be armed with the correct information, so renters
can be sure that they’re protecting themselves and their wallets by looking out
for red flags.
If you are
dealing with a property management company in BC while searching for a new
place.
Here are some tips:
- Do
extensive research via google and social media platforms
- Do a
license check through the real estate board of the British Columbia(REBC)
- Do not
send any money before signing an agreement
Here are some of his tips:
- Ask
references from the landlord
- Ask for
proof of ownership, such as land titles or a city property tax assessment,
or ID.
- Avoid any
money transfers and cash payments that are not traceable and do not pay
upfront.
The best way to
protect yourself from rental scams is by renting through a reputable property
management company like First Stay Realty Inc. With many property owners and
tenants’ services, our team of experts works diligently to protect owners’
investments and provide tenants with a smooth, worry-free rental experience.
For more
furnished/unfurnished rental properties in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland,
visit https://firststaybc.com/.