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So, some UN guy is offering up his whole house for $700/month with utilities included and I would be responsible for the maintenance, but he's moving to New York so everything is done online (haven't committed to anything but it is an option). My only experience with landlords is in person, so does
anyone have any advice for dealing with online landlords?
Automatically Appended Next Post: I think it's a scam, as I got some advice from a coworker/friend that unless they offer a walk though (which they won't) don't bother.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/24 04:12:33
I once approached a land lord and they had some great pictures of the property they were renting, but I didn't commit. I actually went there and sure enough the place was a wreck. The pictures looked nice, but I'd wager the place hadn't looked that good in a solid fifteen years.
I would never commit to anything without actually seeing the property myself, and especially I'd want to see the inside as well as the out. If it all looks good I'd do it, but even then who knows what is under the walls (but that's a risk you'd take with pretty much any rented space).
Cheesecat wrote: So, some UN guy is offering up his whole house for $700/month with utilities included and I would be responsible for the maintenance
Automatically Appended Next Post: I think it's a scam, as I got some advice from a coworker/friend that unless they offer a walk though (which they won't) don't bother.
Aye, it does sound like a scam. 700/month for a house, even if you do the maintenance, sounds suspiciously cheap unless it's somewhere out in the deep woods. He could get triple that and pay someone a few hundred a month to be available if there's need. Scammers pull those "good deals" complete with pictures of a property they don't own here too. The basics is they'll ask for a rent security deposit up front. Over here it's often 2 months, though if legit the bank paperwork should make it clear they can't take it unless you fail to pay rent or trash the place. The nice diplomat, expatriate project worker or whatever will ask you to put in the security deposit to a foreign account and you'll never hear from them again or get keys to the apartment. Or they'll personally give you the keys (which ofc won't work) but want a sum of money as security for them.
Though if it's legit I'd guess an online landlord would be happy if you took pictures of what you've done every week or so?
Ketara wrote: Don't ever sign anything until you see the goods.
The truest words that will ever be uttered.
True for houses and cars
Sgt. Vanden - OOC Hey, that was your doing. I didn't choose to fly in the "Dongerprise'.
"May the odds be ever in your favour"
Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl wrote:
I have no clue how Dakka's moderation work. I expect it involves throwing a lot of d100 and looking at many random tables.
FudgeDumper - It could be that you are just so uncomfortable with the idea of your chapters primarch having his way with a docile tyranid spore cyst, that you must deny they have any feelings at all.
That and the fact that you won't meet him in person sounds like a scam. There is no way to verify that he owns the property, he could have just taken pictures off a realtor site and thrown it up there to get your deposit, which he will probably ask for via moneygram or something similar.
feeder wrote: Frazz's mind is like a wiener dog in a rabbit warren. Dark, twisting tunnels, and full of the certainty that just around the next bend will be the quarry he seeks.
Probably varies from place to place, but me and loads of my friends have rented places in Israel with no contact with the owner other than online. Several friends have rented places like that for years. I've only met my landlord in Glasgow once in three years and it was the day we moved in.
Obviously don't give them any money via a conduit that doesn't give you any recourse, but i wouldn't say you have to dismiss the idea out of hand.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/24 16:20:04
Cheesecat wrote: So, some UN guy is offering up his whole house for $700/month with utilities included and I would be responsible for the maintenance, but he's moving to New York so everything is done online (haven't committed to anything but it is an option). My only experience with landlords is in person, so does
anyone have any advice for dealing with online landlords?
Automatically Appended Next Post: I think it's a scam, as I got some advice from a coworker/friend that unless they offer a walk though (which they won't) don't bother.
1:Yes, it's a scam.
2:You can probably google his listing, and find the exact same listing with only the address changed, repeated again and again all over the internet.
3:If it seems too good to be true then it is.
4: Anyone with a working brain, if they're moving international and can't sell their house beforehand, will hire a management company to handle renting it out, so they can wash their hands of having to worry about the details from a thousand miles away. So if this is the one in a million chance that the guy is for real, then he's too much of a dumb ass to be worth renting from.
"-Nonsense, the Inquisitor and his retinue are our hounoured guests, of course we should invite them to celebrate Four-armed Emperor-day with us..." Thought for the Day - Never use the powerfist hand to wipe.
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
Having a landlord manage a property primarily over the internet isn't unheard of, but you'd at least meet in person at first with occasional visits. And of course most long distance landlords would use a 3rd party company to manage their property just for convenience, in which case you'd meet with a representative of that company instead. This does sound a bit like a scam.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Cheesecat wrote: So, some UN guy is offering up his whole house for $700/month with utilities included
Oh, you sweet summer child.
Out of curiosity, I googled 'Rental Scam Moving Work U.N.' and the first few pages of results were all 'scam/fraud/beware/scam alert.'
So, out of curiosity, does this posting look familiar?
Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. I work with the united nations development program(UNDP) Edinburgh Scotland and i just got a transfer that is bringing me down to West Africa.Myself and Family just traveled to West Africa for the program. My transfer would be for a period between 3-5 years, so i would definitely be renting my house to whom ever that will take good care of it.
FEATURES :
Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat, Master Bedroom, Playground, Car Park.AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Patio/Party Deck, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Fire pit, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer.
DETAILS ABOUT THE HOUSE
Number of bedrooms:3
Number of bathrooms:2
Rental price: $700
security Deposit: $600(Security Deposit is Refundable)
Utilities included in monthly rent
Pets Allowed : $500 (hopefully trained ones)
Contact #: (518) 406-6576
Below is the address to the house:
5303 Holly Bend Ct, Houston, TX 77084
Fill out the rental application form to confirm your interest!
LEASE APPLICATION FORM
1)Your Full Name?
2)Your Full Address?
3)Phone Number?
4)Are you married ?
5)Age & Email Address ?
6)How many people will be living in the house?
7)Do you have a pet?
8)Do you have a car?
9)Occupation?
10)When will you like to move in?
11)How long are you willing to stay in the property?
12)Picture of the occupant If Available?
13)When are you ready to Move In?
14)How Many Months are you willing to rent?
15)How many months rent can you pay upfront? Minimum ( 1month +
SECURITY DEPOSIT ) or ( 2 months + SECURITY DEPOSIT ), so which option
do you prefer ???
16)Reference ?
In case you see any sign board, they are the Realtor in charge of my house before I decided to take over by my self. I am no more working with them and don't bother to contact them because formerly i wanted to sell the house before me and my Lovely Family now decided to rent it out instead of selling it out.You can text me at
Awaiting your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you. We may not see, yet we are only putting everything into Gods hand, kindly do not let us down in your taking care of our property and God bless you more as you do this Amen.
"-Nonsense, the Inquisitor and his retinue are our hounoured guests, of course we should invite them to celebrate Four-armed Emperor-day with us..." Thought for the Day - Never use the powerfist hand to wipe.
Bookwrack wrote:
4: Anyone with a working brain, if they're moving international and can't sell their house beforehand, will hire a management company to handle renting it out, so they can wash their hands of having to worry about the details from a thousand miles away. So if this is the one in a million chance that the guy is for real, then he's too much of a dumb ass to be worth renting from.
Grey Templar wrote:Having a landlord manage a property primarily over the internet isn't unheard of, but you'd at least meet in person at first with occasional visits. And of course most long distance landlords would use a 3rd party company to manage their property just for convenience, in which case you'd meet with a representative of that company instead. This does sound a bit like a scam.
Again, in some places this is very common practice and really nothing to worry about. I've no idea about this case, but the blanket assertions being flung about, sometimes a bit condescendingly, aren't really as self evident as folks are suggesting.
It may not be a scam, but it does sound very much like one.
At a minimum you want to see any property (inside and out) and meet the owner or their agent before handing over any money. Not just for this case but for any house found any way.
insaniak wrote: Sometimes, Exterminatus is the only option.
And sometimes, it's just a case of too much scotch combined with too many buttons...
Cheesecat wrote: So, some UN guy is offering up his whole house for $700/month with utilities included
Oh, you sweet summer child.
Out of curiosity, I googled 'Rental Scam Moving Work U.N.' and the first few pages of results were all 'scam/fraud/beware/scam alert.'
So, out of curiosity, does this posting look familiar?
Spoiler:
Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. I work with the united nations development program(UNDP) Edinburgh Scotland and i just got a transfer that is bringing me down to West Africa.Myself and Family just traveled to West Africa for the program. My transfer would be for a period between 3-5 years, so i would definitely be renting my house to whom ever that will take good care of it.
FEATURES :
Laundry, Electric Range, Electric Heat, Master Bedroom, Playground, Car Park.AMENITIES: Air Conditioning, Patio/Party Deck, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Fire pit, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer.
DETAILS ABOUT THE HOUSE
Number of bedrooms:3
Number of bathrooms:2
Rental price: $700
security Deposit: $600(Security Deposit is Refundable)
Utilities included in monthly rent
Pets Allowed : $500 (hopefully trained ones)
Contact #: (518) 406-6576
Below is the address to the house:
5303 Holly Bend Ct, Houston, TX 77084
Fill out the rental application form to confirm your interest!
LEASE APPLICATION FORM
1)Your Full Name?
2)Your Full Address?
3)Phone Number?
4)Are you married ?
5)Age & Email Address ?
6)How many people will be living in the house?
7)Do you have a pet?
8)Do you have a car?
9)Occupation?
10)When will you like to move in?
11)How long are you willing to stay in the property?
12)Picture of the occupant If Available?
13)When are you ready to Move In?
14)How Many Months are you willing to rent?
15)How many months rent can you pay upfront? Minimum ( 1month +
SECURITY DEPOSIT ) or ( 2 months + SECURITY DEPOSIT ), so which option
do you prefer ???
16)Reference ?
In case you see any sign board, they are the Realtor in charge of my house before I decided to take over by my self. I am no more working with them and don't bother to contact them because formerly i wanted to sell the house before me and my Lovely Family now decided to rent it out instead of selling it out.You can text me at
Awaiting your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you. We may not see, yet we are only putting everything into Gods hand, kindly do not let us down in your taking care of our property and God bless you more as you do this Amen.
Yeah that's almost exactly my e-mail with some slight changes like location and that, it's a definite scam glad I hesitated and didn't commit. Was too good to be true, thanks guys. Anyways I had a legitimate in person tour yesterday for 1 bedroom $800/month utilities included and have couple of
phone calls, so hopefully I get something soon (doing some downsizing right now as I'm currently in a 2 bedroom but it's farther from work and friends, I want something closer and cheaper).
Automatically Appended Next Post: Right down to the Edinburgh Scotland even, except he's going to New York instead of West Africa.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/25 07:33:49
The "God bless you more as you do this Amen" is a great 'red flag' too.
It might be worth doing some virus scans and malwarebytes to be safe.
If you're in the UK I'd always recommend http://www.getsafeonline.org If you're not in the UK I'd almost always recommend the site too, just be aware that the legal bits and guidance are related to UK law etc.
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
That posting is also full of typos and general grammatical errors. Which is another indicator of it being a scam. A legit offer would at least get some effort put into it. Someone working at the UN would be able to write a coherent article.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
It's also kind of adorable how it says to ignore all real estate signs you see if you check out the property, because those totes aren't legit. No warning sign there!
Kilkrazy wrote: If you Google Scam of course the top results are going to be about scams.
And the first results pulled up were the same copy/paste posting that the OP has seen, which was my intention.
"Does this sound legit?"
*google listing description, scam, and get version of that posting as first result.*
"Magic 8-ball says 'no.' "
"-Nonsense, the Inquisitor and his retinue are our hounoured guests, of course we should invite them to celebrate Four-armed Emperor-day with us..." Thought for the Day - Never use the powerfist hand to wipe.
Even if it wasn't a scam, I'd suspect the landlord was irresponsible.
He has no agent to check up on the house, he's offloading the responsibility of maintenance to the tenant, I'd suspect he is not making an effort to keep up with safety regulations nor has relevant insurance.
The house is probably badly kept and dangerous.
I would not recommend renting a property from such a landlord even if it didn't sound like a scam.
3100+
