August 02, 2010
British and overseas tenants should take care before signing property rental deposit schemes following a string of online abuses, the National Landlord Association (NLA) has advised.
A wide number of potential tenants have contacted the NLA in recent weeks claiming that their money has been stolen by fraudulent landlords advertising on internet listings site Gumtree.co.uk.
In most instances, tenants have replied to listings on the site advertising cheap properties around the UK. After reportedly formal and satisfactory email exchanges between both parties, tenants were asked to send a financial deposit to secure the property.
However, after sending the money tenants were unable to contact the advertising landlords, or, indeed, collect the keys to their new property.
To make matters worse, fraudulent landlords are adopting the NLA logo on their advertisements to maintain an air of legitimacy.
Richard Price, Director of Operations at NLA, while commenting on the new scam warned tenants to take extra care before agreeing to any financial agreements online.
“Tenants, no matter where they are from, should not send payment to advertisers before they are certain that the advertiser is genuine,” he said. “Overseas applicants needing to secure accommodation before they arrive in the UK would be well advised to first seek the help of the employer or university they are coming to.”
Whether you’re travelling from overseas or looking to re-locate to pastures new, approaching landlords through the proper channels can ensure you don’t become the latest victim of rental scams.
If you’ve been financial abused by fraudulent landlords, seek advice as soon as possible and legal experts will do all they can to ensure any moneys owed are reclaimed.
