Rental scams to look out for
Unfortunately, rental scammers are adept at preying on your enthusiasm. Especially when you’re pressed for time due to a new job, or your children are starting a new school abroad. Here are a few warning signs to look out for:
- An agency with little online presence – sometimes scammers will create their own lettings agency to appear legitimate.
- Lots of different ads for the same property – which may have slightly different descriptions or pictures.
- A very low or bargain price – because we all know that if it looks too good to be true, it most probably is.
- You’re asked for money up front as a rental deposit to secure the property– never pay anything before a viewing.
Kyero’s top tips to avoid rental scams abroad
Renting abroad isn’t so very different from renting at home. All the precautions you’d take in your own country still apply in Spain.
- When you’re faced with lots of different property pictures, try running the reverse image search from Google. Sometimes you’ll find the same place listed in another city or even country!
- If you can’t get to see the property in person, ask for a virtual viewing instead. That way you can check the property matches the photographs and description. And always ensure you contact the agent using the telephone number on their website.
- Always ask the landlord or agent for their ID when visiting a property. Ideally, you need to meet them in person so you can see who you’re renting from. Do you like them? Do you get a good vibe? Will you work well together?
- Rent through an established letting agent, and use a trusted property portal. Google is your friend again here too – why not do some research on the agency to see what you can find out about them.
- Check the written lease to make sure everything you’ve agreed to is actually in the terms.
- Never pay money upfront for anything, until you are certain that the landlord and/or letting agent are who they say they are, and are reputable.
- Always call and speak to the agent or landlord directly before transferring any money, to double check the payment details are correct. Protect yourself by requesting that any deposit is paid via a credit card, not a bank transfer.
- Check, check, and check again. A common rental scam is to make a small change in the email address, such as a letter or a number added or taken away, so that at first glance it looks to be the same.
- If you have any doubts, please Contact Us via [email protected] to request the agent’s details.
The benefits of renting first
As mentioned earlier, renting in an area you’re looking to eventually buy a house in offers you a brilliant chance to get to know the area, as well as the property type. Our podcast guest, and Kyero’s Head of Sales, Sian thought she wanted a country house, for example. But after actually living in one for a few months, she decided it wasn’t right for her. Renting allowed her to move on quickly and without taking a hit financially.
Plus, renting gives you a chance to figure out what you want and need nearby. Travelling distance from schools, work or leisure activities can impact on your life in a huge way. Renting allows you to shuffle about a bit and see what your priorities are.
And, of course, buying a house takes time. If you want to establish relationships and get to know your new community before you leap in with both feet, renting can offer you a lifeline. It’ll give you the time you need to reach out to the people who can help you change your life for the better.
In summary…
We hope this information will be helpful when you’re looking for a home to rent in Spain. And with over 7,500 gorgeous properties to rent on our portal, we also hope you’ll find your dream rental through us too! Because when you’re making a life changing decision like moving abroad, it’s important to know who to trust and why. And we’d love to help you take that first exciting step towards finding your sunshine safely.
Are you thinking about moving, or have you already moved, to Spain? Did you rent before you bought? Have you bought a property to rent out in Spain? If you’ve got a rental story to tell, we’d love to share it – either as a guest blog or via our podcast series. Please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
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