Off-campus Housing

How to Avoid Rental Scams

Finding a place to rent can be challenging. Scammers know that and try to take advantage of vulnerable situations.

Here are some red flags and tips to avoid getting caught in a rental scam.

Red Flag - The “Is this too good to be true?” feeling

  • Lower than average monthly rent: the listing is significantly lower priced than other listings in the area.
  • The contact person is overly agreeable.

Tips/Suggestions

  • Double-check other rentals in the area you're looking at with similar amenities.
  • Before committing to anything, ask the property manager/ landlord for detailed expenses including utilities, other renters in the building, etc. and keep a copy of all your communication with them.

Red Flag - Is this property legit?

  • Listing is posted on multiple sites under different people/agencies with different contact information and inconsistent information.
  • The landlord keeps switching viewing times or is a no-show.
  • The landlord is reluctant to provide an address or unit number.
  • Are the photos blurry? Do you see the same photos used in another listing? Is the landlord refusing to provide photos.
  • Unrealistic photos of properties in Wolfville. Ex. High end apartments for low rent.

Tips/Suggestions

  • Check if the rental appears on other websites and if the information matches.
  • View listing photos carefully. Ensure they match the description. Ask for more if required.
  • View the listing in person. If you are out of the area, ask someone you trust or use the off-campus housing viewing service.
  • Use Google Street View to verify that the property is real and matches the photos and descriptions provided.
  • If the listing is on Facebook, take a look at the profile it is being listed by.
  • Review lease in depth before signing.

Red Flag - Take note of how you are being asked for payment

  • Upfront payments in cash, wire transfer or money order without a way to trace payment options.
  • You’re being pressured to sign or send money.
  • Asked to pay an application fee or holding fee

Tips/Suggestions

  • Only make payment after signing your lease. This should only be by electronic deposit from your bank account or with a credit card or check. Some other larger properties may even have a website with a portal where you can pay online as well.
  • Landlords can only legally charge you a security/damage deposit when the lease is signed

Red Flag - Being asked for too much personal information or payment before viewing a property

  • Asked to provide a social security number, date of birth or credit card number.

Tips/Suggestions

  • Do not give out personal information. Your SIN number is NEVER required by a landlord.
  • Request an in-person viewing

Red Flag - Informality

  • Landlords will typically want to verify your information and conduct reference checks. This is a necessary part of a landlord’s job to ensure the person they’re renting to is a good match. Avoiding this altogether or rushing through it to try and expedite signing the lease is certainly something to be wary of.

Tips/Suggestions

  • Sign a lease agreement. You, as a tenant, need the protection of a lease agreement and a legitimate landlord should be willing to provide a lease agreement.
  • Do not enter a lease agreement that doesn’t include a traceable method of payment.
  • Educate yourself on what to expect before you rent.
  • Trust your instincts.

If you are a victim of a scam...

  1. Stay calm
  2. Contact your financial institutions if it involved money being sent
  3. Contact the police
  4. Report the incident
  5. Reach out to the Off-Campus Housing Advisors to support you.
  6. Protect yourself from future fraud

Learn more about the scams, how to protect yourself, and reporting scams here.