#1 Never deal in cash
Never pay with cash, wire transfer or hard-to-trace equivalents such as Moneygram, Bitcoin or MoneyPak. These forms of payment are impossible to track.
#2 Never rent sight-unseen
Visit in person to confirm the unit exists and matches what was advertised before signing a lease or making a payment (or have a friend, family member, or rental agent do so on your behalf). Though there are cases where a scammer has access to a unit and poses as a landlord, insisting on viewing the unit will reduce the chance of a scam.
#3 Don’t hand over confidential information that can be used for identity theft
- Avoid handing over confidential information like a Social Insurance Number or bank information. Landlords sometimes ask for a Social Insurance Number to do a credit check—but according to Equifax, a Canadian Credit Bureau, a landlord can check your credit history with just your full name, current address and birth date (if you are willing to give them that information).
- You may want to do a credit check yourself, and have your credit report ready as you begin your housing search (e.g. along with copy of references, previous landlords, etc.). This will not only give you control over who has access to your credit report, it may also help demonstrate that you are responsible and enable you to move more quickly through the rental application process.
#4 Meet the landlord in person
Though out-of-town landlords can be legitimate, insisting on meeting the landlord in person will lessen the risk of a scam and usually leads to better service. Be wary of a landlord that gives excuses for not being able to meet you or show you the unit.
#5 Speak with the current tenants
Currently occupied units are far less likely to be fraudulent ones. If you have a chance, speak to the current tenants outside of the presence of the landlord to confirm information the landlord has told you. This also allows you to find out how the landlord treats tenants and whether there’s anything unusual about the place.
#6 Conduct basic research
Google the address of the unit and the landlord’s name, email, and phone number to confirm that the landlord/property management company exists, is associated with the property being listed, and if there are any complaints or scams online. Be wary of any landlord who tries to remain anonymous.
#7 Be aware of too-good-to-be-true rent rates
The Guelph rental market is extremely competitive, especially in the summer. Be suspicious of any rent or unit that is far below market rent or otherwise sounds too good to be true.
#8 Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics
If you feel like you are being pressured into signing a lease or sending money, consider this a red flag. Conduct thorough research on the property and landlord before committing.
#9 Be wary of landlords that request little information about you
Most legitimate landlords will at least request references or a credit check.
#10 Demand a written lease
- A written lease helps prevent fraud and lays out the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
- Ontario law requires landlords to use the Ontario Standard Lease Form for any lease signed after April 2018.
- Ensure you get a copy of the lease that is signed by both you and the landlord before you move in or pay a deposit. Ideally, you and the landlord should sign the lease in each other’s physical presence and in duplicate so each can walk away with a copy.
- Ensure the price and any amenities that should be included as part of your monthly payment are listed in the lease.
#11 Ensure the written lease identifies the owner or property management company
- In Ontario, written leases must identify the name, address and phone number of the landlord.
- When reviewing the written lease, make sure that this information is disclosed and that the address listed is not the address of the rental unit (unless the unit is in the landlord’s home) or a P.O. Box.
#12 Consider renting from property management companies
- Large operations are not necessarily the best landlords (or the most affordable) but there is usually plenty of information and reviews online about them, and they are seldom outright scammers.
- If, for some reason, you have to rent sight-unseen, a property management company is probably a safer choice.
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