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BE AWARE OF FRAUDULENT LANDLORDS How to protect yourself when searching for a place to live in Manchester Manchester Student Homes has been aware of a large number of cases whereby students have fallen victim to fraudulent landlords. The scams work by offering properties to let, often in prime areas, at below market rents. The landlord will then ask for deposits, or in some cases full payment upfront in order to secure the property prior to visiting it, or to prove they have the money in order to rent for the duration. Prospective tenants are convinced to part with either credit card details, cheques or cash before seeing the property, which then turn out not to exist. Payments are then not returned and the student cannot get in contact with the supposed “landlord”. There have also been occasions whereby fraudsters gain access to properties and take prospective tenants around, portraying the property to be vacant and under their control. In other cases the fraudsters are purporting to rent out property that does not exist, has already been rented out, or has been rented to multiple victims at the same time.
Protect yourself! •
Do not pay for property upfront - Make sure you visit the property and are certain the person and property exists. Deposits are standard in renting though you should never have to pay this before viewing the property and you should be provided with a receipt and a copy of the contract for the property.
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Protect your deposit - When a deposit is taken other than a “holding deposit”, the money must be paid into a deposit scheme approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Further information about the scheme and tenant’s rights can be found below: https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview
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Use your common sense - If the property is too cheap and looks fantastic then it’s probably too good to be true.
How to avoid being a victim of student rental fraud! Visit the house you intend to rent - Make sure you visit the property with the landlord to confirm if the house share is bona fide. Be suspicious of anyone who refuses to let you visit the property.