25th
Feb 2021
Fake landlord and phoney lettings agents scammers are an ever present in the private rental sector, however with the advent of virtual viewings taking precedent this has caused an explosion of bogus landlords and agents.
A government funded industry body that protects consumers and businesses by enforcing the Estate Agents Act (1979) and the Tenant Fees Act 2019, has issued a stark warning to the private rented sector.
The operations manager says:“Lettings scams have been an issue for a number of years and have a devastating effect on consumers and businesses.”
It is of no real surprise that virtual viewings have boomed because of the lockdown restrictions coupled with the natural resistance to one-on-one meetings and entering other peoples’ properties.
The operations manager says that potential overseas renters are most at risk from the scams and more than likely to be students having no other option than being reliant on virtual viewings because of travel restrictions.
However renters are not the only ones who are being targeted by the bogus operators as some landlords have been scammed by false agency adverts.
The operations manager continues: “Criminals often place fake adverts for properties to let, or they respond to flat-hunters’ posts, claiming they have the perfect property.
“The criminals pose as landlords or letting agents and offer properties to rent, taking holding deposits, security deposits and other fees up front without allowing the prospective tenant to see the property, often stealing photos and property details from unsuspecting genuine agents’ websites.
“This can cause a number of problems for the genuine businesses who have suffered harm to their identity and reputation, as well as costing thousands to unsuspecting potential tenants.
“Before the pandemic made this easier for them, criminals would use a variety of excuses to explain why the property could not be viewed, claiming they were out of the country, or that a tenant was in the process of moving out.
“The victims would then pay monies up front via bank transfers or untraceable money transfer services, and often don’t realise the property does not exist until the point at which they expect to move in.
“We would urge all tenants to research any letting agency, landlord and property before agreeing to hand over any money.
“It’s advisable to research the agent on lots of review sites and use the internet if possible to check the property is genuine. It’s also important to check whether the agent needs to have redress or client money protection membership, with different requirements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”
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