subject: Miami Apartments For Rent Tips: Spot Rental Scams From A Distance [print this page] Choose check instead of cash Choose check instead of cash
Checks are the safest way to pay for your Miami apartment for rent deposit. These crooks oftentimes transact with cash as they can easily get away with it. With checks, however, they have to create fake identities, which will definitely risk their exposure to the law. Furthermore, dont wire money. You have no guarantee that you could get your deposit back if you choose to wire it to your fake landlord, and theres no way to track him, too, if he runs away, which he will.
Do your homework
Home valuations are part and parcel of any real estate research homebuyers should do. When youre looking for a Miami apartment for rent, be aware of the price range of the neighborhood you choose, and, most importantly, know the current rental rates. Rental rates that are tremendously low for the current standard are too good to be true. Many scammers prefer to set low rental rates to attract unsuspecting renters.
Short interviews
Landlords, the real ones, will take their time reviewing your application and doing the obligatory background checks. Screening is an important step you need to go through before you become a tenant of the building. Landlords are meticulous with this step in order to protect themselves and the building from future troubles, like late payments, damages to the unit and unruly tenants.
But if your landlord is too eager to admit you and insists on your signature above those dotted lines, take one step back and ponder on your actions. Remember that scammers cannot be bothered by the rigmaroles of apartment ownership and, thus, choose the easy way around. Theyre only out to get your money, and theyll do so the quickest way possible.
Avoid foreclosure
The last thing you need is to be evicted from your unit of the Miami apartment for rent. Its important to make sure that the building or property is not in foreclosure. The best way to do this is to visit the county office and check for the latest records of property in question.
