Red flags to look out for in private rented accommodation

It is no secret that the London rental market can be very competitive! Finding a good and affordable place to stay can be difficult and exhausting. 😮‍💨

Unfortunately, some people try to exploit this, such as offering accommodation that does not even exist, or they offer accommodation that they are not entitled to let (because it is owned by someone else).

Their ads and communications can look, feel and sound very convincing – but once you’ve paid, they suddenly stop being contactable and your money is gone! 

Please read carefully below some warning signs for scams when looking for private rented accommodation and how to avoid them!

👀 Accommodation Scams in London 👀

Here are some common scams that can occur when looking for private accommodation:

• It sounds too good to be true (for example, a very cheap studio in Central London).
• You ask for a viewing and the “landlord” tells you the are away on business and very busy.
• The “landlord” shares a photo of their passport or driving licence with you to “prove” they are real.
• The “landlord” (or “flatmate”) talks about their lawyer in their messages.
• You are asked to pay via a money transfer service, in cryptocurrency or a currency that is not £Sterling.
• You are asked to make a deposit payment before being allowed to view, to show you can be trusted and/or afford the rent.
• You are asked to make a payment and promised the “landlord” will then post the keys to you.
• You’re being pressured into acting quickly, to stop you from doing your own due diligence.

📌 How to avoid being scammed 📌

Here's some tips to avoid being scammed in London:

• Be aware of rent prices for the type of accommodation and area you are looking at, so you can spot the “too good to be true” ads.
• Asked for large amounts of advance rent? Offer to use Housing Hand as a guarantor instead. Real landlords should be fine with this, scammers won’t, they want your money!
• Have you been shown or sent photos? Do a reverse image search. Fraudsters often copy images from genuine accommodation websites or AirBnB.
• Already in London ? Insist you need to view the accommodation in person before you pay. Make sure you are given the full address.
• Not in London? Do you have a friend who is, and can can go to the accommodation and check it out for you?
• Dealing with an agency? Check out their website: does it have lots of lovely photos of Central London and warm words about how brilliant they are (this is a warning sign!) or a lot of boring business information on who they are and how they work (good!)? Are they a member of a Redress Scheme? Do they have Client Money Protection? Both are must-have legal requirements. You may also want to check up on the agency on Companies House: are they a very new company? Or a micro company that has been around for a few years but keeps forgetting to file its paperwork and then is at risk of strike-off? Both can also be warning signs.
• Do an online search for the address, using Google or Apple maps: is it a real address? What does it look like on Streetview? Does the outside match what you’ve been shown for the inside? Or is there a massive difference? (the basic shape of a window looks the same inside and out)
• With the full address, you can also do a Land Registry search to check who owns the property. It costs £7 to download a Title Register from the Property Information Land Registry. 
• If you’re given or sent a contract document, ask if you can see documents on Electrical Safety and Gas Safety as well. A scammer won’t have copies of the documents.

Not sure? You can always ask the Private Accommodation Adviser in UAL Accommodation Services for advice. The Adviser can help with spotting scams and dodgy landlords or agents. You can contact the Adviser at private.accom@arts.ac.uk or 020 7514 6240.