Finding what is available.
WHERE PLACES ARE FOUND
Agents Online listings Signs on properties Word of mouth Estate and community notice boards
WHY WORD OF MOUTH MATTERS
Many places are let before they are advertised.
WHAT TO DO
Tell people you are looking.
WHAT AGENTS PROVIDE
Access to listings and arrangement of viewings.
WHAT THEY COST
Fees, which vary and are frequently substantial.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE ENGAGING ANY AGENT
What they charge What the fee covers When it is payable Whether it is refundable if no place is found
WHY
Fees charged before anything is provided are a common problem.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Agents requiring payment to show properties Agents who cannot produce the properties advertised Listings with photographs that do not match Prices substantially below the market
WHY UNUSUALLY LOW PRICES
They are the standard method of attracting people to fraudulent listings.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That the property exists and that the agent has authority to let it.
HOW
Visit it, and establish who the landlord is.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Pay anything before seeing the property Pay to anyone whose identity you have not verified Pay without a receipt
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether the person showing you the property is authorised.
WHY
Letting properties the person does not control is a known fraud.
WHAT TO ASK FOR
Evidence of ownership or authority to let.
