Scammers---Westside Rentals and CL (Torrance, Pasadena: hardwood floors, apartment, renters)

[janebailey]

Hello

Has anyone filled out applications on Westside Rentals?

I am hesitant and have not filled out any of the applications in the properties I'm interested in, because I do not know if the advertisers are legitimate or not.

As for CL, I can't believe how many Landlords are out of town/travelling and unable to meet you.
I believe I even saw a tree house touted as habitable. Good grief!

Anyone have a recommendation for an apartment where the residents tend to be older? I'm not yet 55 so I don't qualify for senior type housing. Seems most of the places are geared towards the younger crowd and I fear sleepless nights, loud music and loud parties.

[disgruntled la native]

Try to live in a neighborhood suited toward older. Of course, it depends on your budget. I can try to help you if you give a budget.

As for CL scams, usually the ads that are "too good to be true" with a vague, run on sentence description are scams

For example, something that says "$1500 for a two bedroom in Beverly Hills, new hardwood floors, granite counters, pool, central heat, etc" is a scam.

Usually the scam ads take text from a real ad and knock the price down by several hundred.

[JohnG72]

I don't understand the few people falling for cl scams.

And I don't understand how it's a difficult to google the phone number/owner of the property and find out if the business is legit.

I imagine the people who fall for the cl scams as Mr. McGoo caricatures.

[Big-Bucks]

Doesn't Westside Rentals screen renters?

I recently listed my house on Zillow. Some scammer had copied my listing and offered it on CR for a ridiculously low price.

One thing you can do to protect yourself is to do a reverse image search. See if the house or apartment is listed elsewhere and if it's the same listing.

[SandyCo]

The only people I can imagine falling for these scams are ones who didn't bother doing their homework, so they don't realize how expensive renting is in L.A. and how much the rents have risen recently.

Of course, other red flags are evident - misspelled ads (look, we're offering a "dinning" room!), demanding a credit check before you even see the place, etc. I hate to think of anyone getting fleeced by scammers, because many renters don't have a lot of money, and it takes time to save up for the first and last month's rent plus the security deposit.

I found my apartment on CL, and it worked out just fine - but I was also able to see the apartment right after the ad went up, and the credit check was done with cash (always better than handing over a check, where they can grab your banking info). It was also obvious that the manager lived on-site, and the other residents knew her. I even got a good deal on the rent, but then again, this was back in 2009 when the economy had tanked and it was a renters' market. I miss those days (not how bad the economy was, but the ability to find an apartment for a somewhat decent price!).

[janebailey]

Originally Posted by Big-Bucks

Doesn't Westside Rentals screen renters?

I recently listed my house on Zillow. Some scammer had copied my listing and offered it on CR for a ridiculously low price.

One thing you can do to protect yourself is to do a reverse image search. See if the house or apartment is listed elsewhere and if it's the same listing.

Yes I've noticed a lot of image/ad theft.
How do I do a reverse image search?

[janebailey]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Try to live in a neighborhood suited toward older. Of course, it depends on your budget. I can try to help you if you give a budget.

As for CL scams, usually the ads that are "too good to be true" with a vague, run on sentence description are scams

For example, something that says "$1500 for a two bedroom in Beverly Hills, new hardwood floors, granite counters, pool, central heat, etc" is a scam.

Usually the scam ads take text from a real ad and knock the price down by several hundred.

My limit is 1600.00.
The Yelp reviews are disheartening to say the least. Lots of noise complaints, thin walls. I've seen some buildings that look as though they are older, I've read that older constructions have thicker walls don't know if that's true.
I looked for the reviews that complained about how dull or old the tenants are and those were the ones I would put on my list 😏
But I have a pet too so the few complexes that I thought were mostly seniors did not allow pets.

[Dunbar42]

What neighborhoods are you looking in? $1600 might put you on the lower end of the budget for an area. I have used West Side Rentals to find places but I always look at them before filling out an application. I hate to tell you but there are no guarantees that your neighbors won't keep you up at night.

[disgruntled la native]

Originally Posted by janebailey

My limit is 1600.00.
The Yelp reviews are disheartening to say the least. Lots of noise complaints, thin walls. I've seen some buildings that look as though they are older, I've read that older constructions have thicker walls don't know if that's true.
I looked for the reviews that complained about how dull or old the tenants are and those were the ones I would put on my list ��
But I have a pet too so the few complexes that I thought were mostly seniors did not allow pets.

Can you live in the San Fernando Valley? Most of the Valley is VERY quiet and you can get a lot for your money there.

If that's not an option, what about suburban LA county - areas like Torrance, Pasadena

The truth is, the vast majority of LA county is quiet. The only busy noisy areas are the hot areas like DTLA, Hollywood, Weho, Santa Monica, Venice, etc.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

Can you live in the San Fernando Valley? Most of the Valley is VERY quiet and you can get a lot for your money there.

If that's not an option, what about suburban LA county - areas like Torrance, Pasadena

The truth is, the vast majority of LA county is quiet. The only busy noisy areas are the hot areas like DTLA, Hollywood, Weho, Santa Monica, Venice, etc.

Agree, here's the thing I thought the poster's name looked familiar.

She is moving from Albuquerque and will be looking in on a sick relative and working in Van Nuys in the govt. buildings.

We already suggested the Valley, she also doesn't drive.

OP, why are you making things more difficult for yourself? Live in the Valley, you will find what you need, that is nice and well within your price range of even less.