Questions about renting from someone who lives out of state (apartment, lease)

[Pear Martini]

So I found a great place on CL and I'm currently filling out the application he sent via email.


Is this normal?

It isn't asking for my SS, or bank info just my full address.

Should I be worried?

The price is low for the area but he said its because he wants the tenant to keep it clean and treat it as their own.

Which I would.

I called him this morning at 10:25am and he was kind of agitated on the phone.

He also said the keys and documents of the apartment are currently with him in Ohio (the apartment is in Boston) and I wouldn't be able to see it until he sent them.

No sure what this means as I have only rented without a lease and the one time I had a lease my BF took care of everything.


HELP!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Run. If you send money without getting in the place, he likely doesn't even own it and is scamming yu. Even if you meet outside the place, you need to get into it to be sure he has the keys.

[beth98]

Originally Posted by Pear Martini

he said its because he wants the tenant to keep it clean and treat it as their own.

Any time someone says this I assume it's a scam.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Pear Martini

It isn't asking for my SS, or bank info just my full address. OK
Should I be worried? NO
The price is low for the area but... OK
He also said the keys and documents of the apartment are currently with him in Ohio
(the apartment is in Boston) and I wouldn't be able to see it until he sent them. To whom?

No sure what this means...

Out of town LL's are abundant as are inept ones.
This guy may be both but there's not enough info to say.

If the location and condition and price suit... make yourself available to see it.
Maybe he has a neighbor or relative? whatever.

He hasn't asked for money... right?
Put it back in his lap to get you in to see the place. Until then... keep looking.
---
If/when he gets back to you or if you're feeling nosey... learn who owns the property.
The state tax assessors office usually has this online.

Don't make a deal with anyone who isn't the owner.

[Sabinerose]

My first reaction to this is that you are in the middle of a scam. The sure way to know... as soon as he asks you to send him money without you ever having seen the place. Something along the lines of "send me the deposit and I will send you the lease and keys".

I would bet this one at 80% scam / 20% legit... let us know how it turns out.

[PacificFlights]

Ask for his address in Ohio because you want to arrange for an overnight pickup 9at your expense) from him of the lease for you to sign. You'll mail it overnight (specifiaclly state US Mail) backed and sign. Once he countersigns it you will arrange for theanother overnight with the check to him and a return envcelope for him to send the keys and receiopts.

Any legitimate landlord will have no issures with using the US Mail. A scammer wil be a bit nervious because of poastal laws.

A legitimate landlord because they are niot paying will not have issues with sendingt he elasse ahead, while a scammer will be nervious because its doen;t fit the scam.

A legitimate landlord will have no isses sendingt he keys once they receive the check because they can always change the locks if your check is fake. A scammer will start to worry that they are the ones being scammed.

Also make sure you get the physica addres so you can have someone do a drive by to check it out and your doing a records check to see who the owner of record is and the story behind the property.

[KonaKat]

Run, do not walk, away from ads like this. Simple.