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Avoid being conned when renting
Down with apt scams!
There has much publicity recently re: apartment scams in Dublin. Basically, there have been a few landlords who offered cushy apartments at relatively cheap prices and as such attracted a lot of interested tenants. The prospective tenants signed up for the flats and put down deposits as normal. However when move in time came, they found out that a load of other people had also been signed up to the same place and that the landlords had skipped off with thousands of Euros worth of deposits. One landlord reportedly stole €25,000 worth of deposits!!!
So save yourself any possible worry and heartache by reading Threshold's top tips:
- Meet any potential landlords in the actual accommodation you would be living at.
- Ask for identification, such as a business card or an Irish Property Owner’s Association membership card.
- If you are using an estate agent, check that they are members of a reputable association, such as the IAVI.
- Get the landlord's full contact details, including a landline telephone number, home address or place of business.
- Only agree to take the property when you are totally satisfied. Ask the following questions before making your decision:
- Is the landlord registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board. You can check if the property is currently registered by going to www.prtb.ie.
- Is there a lease or rent book?
- Who has access to the property?
- Who do I contact if I have a problem?
- Why did the previous tenant leave?
- Don’t pay by cash. Use a cheque or debit card and get the landlord’s bank details for future rent payments.
- Always get a proper receipt, for example, on headed paper or a till receipt. A scrap of paper will not do.
- Check that the keys open and close the doors of the property.
- Contact the Gardaí if you are suspicious in any way.
- If you have questions about any of the above or if you need advice, contact your nearest Threshold advice centre.
Further Information:
Threshold
Web: www.threshold.ie
Email: advice@threshold.ie
Tel: 01 6786096
Threshold is a not for profit organisation which aims to secure housing as a right. Gives free and confidential information and advice on housing, primarily private rented housing.
