Tag Archives: Rental scams

CLARE gardai have warned the public to be vigilant of scams when seeking accommodation to rent. The issue was raised by Clare crime prevention officer Sergeant Triona Brooks who this week relayed the experience of one woman who was searching for accommodation on a rental site. The woman e-mailed who she believed to be the landlord of a property that she was interested in. She then transferred a substantial amount of money for renting this accommodation through a link that he sent to her. Since then the e-mail address is no longer in existence. “As students start to look for accommodation for the next college year or for summer trips don’t be tricked into paying a deposit for a property that does not exist or has already been rented, often to multiple people,” warned Sergeant Brooks. She provided a checklist of precautions anyone should undertake when seeking a rental property. • Do your homework – look at the average rent …

GARDAÍ are advising people in Clare to be wary of rental scams. “While it can be more common to happen when students are beginning their academic year, it can occur any time of the year,” warns Garda Eimear McDonagh, Ennis Garda Station. She outlines the scams fall into three broad categories. In one, the scammer claims to be out of the country and cannot show you the property and requests a deposit. In another the scammer is living at the property and shows a number of people around, takes a deposit from several interested people and then disappears with the money. While in the third type the transaction appears to be normal until the renter finds that the keys don’t work and the landlord has disappeared. Gardai are advising, “People need to establish that the property does in fact exist and that it is available to rent. “Ideally only do business with bona fide rental agencies. Always meet a prospective …