How can I ensure this isn't a rental scam?

Post date: 2019-12-11 07:21:30

We've been offered a rental home that seems too good to be true; I'm terrified of being scammed. This could be a godsend for my family, or a devastating mistake. Help me figure out if I'm being paranoid, if there's some kind of proof that is reasonable and I should ask for, or reassure me?

Ad was on Craigslist & Trulia. Was posted with one rate and deposit, then later reduced (by $55) when I viewed the ad a second time.

Open house last Saturday, we attended. We were there at beginning, no other potential renters arrived while we were there, though I got the feeling towards the end they might have been expecting someone.

House was recently sold; the assessor's office has online info, and it shows a mid-November date. Name of owner matches name of the person. Owner's address matches city they said they live in. I looked up the owner's address, and that home is only 2 years old, and when I looked it up on the assessor's site, the name also matched. Phone number is from another city in same metro area. When looking up the number online, it returns as wireless, Integra Telecom, and the initials of the owner do NOT match. I'm not having much luck on social media searching, name is nationality] and seems to be common.

They told me of recent purchase when I asked how long they've had the house. Said their purpose is to eventually retire there, they live about an hour away, but that they participate in local sport].

Don't care if we have pets, low pet deposit, honestly low rent for the area. Willing to allow us to paint or make improvements, willing to take cost of improvement off rent, just want people who "won't burn the place down".

Application was initially going to be through Smart move (and refund fee against rent!), then decided to accept manual application after we discussed what they would find on screening. (Issue that has been approved for rental on appeal at a local apartment complex.)

Some work has been done between the house's sale listing and when we viewed it. We walked through the home. It's in a rural area near a small city, and isn't fancy.

I send her pics of our ID, proof of income, and completed applications last night. This morning she said they reviewed it, it looks good, and when would we like to move in? So she can prepare lease agreement.

I know not to pay anything online, to sign paperwork in the home on walkthrough at the time I receive keys.

They seem nice. They're exactly the sort of magical unicorn landlord that everyone in my very tough local rental market wishes they could find...

Which is exactly my concern, I think. I'm having a hard time believing unicorns exist. And I'm scared. This would combine households and put all of us in a better financial situation - but only if it's real.

So help me make a decision. Is it ok for me to ask for ID or proof she's the owner? Is there anything else I should be doing?

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