Discussions

A friend responded to an ebrandon ad for a house for rent. She toured it today and liked it. The person said to send a picture if licence and the deposit. She said she wasn’t comfortable doing  
That without signing anything first. He said just her name was fine and he’d send an econtract tonight and she could sign that. He also said that the house was owned by his brother who lives in BC- he was just showing it. How do we know if its legit?? Thanks

Of course it is a scam, really!! if :your friend is skeptical , go with gut feeling, we are all warned about this kinda of transactions. Read the warning signs on here ( ebrandon). Goodness... hoping your friend didn't send anything.  
Wouldn't your friend be wayyyyyy more comfortable meeting this person in person.  
Sorry but sounds sooooo terribly fishy.  
Hope she does her homework, before considering anything soooooooo silly as to send anything.  
 
 
 
You NEVER EVER send anything without signing a rental form first.  
1. Tenancy Application  
2. Tenancy lease  
 
Good lawd , the person renting the place out, didn't even want references, no statement about pets, smoking, drugs??? No mention of damage deposit??  
 
I may be paranoid, but cheez, come on.  
 
Please be careful  
 
Edited by HAGD, 2019-10-19 16:52:02

Did meet in person. She saw the house today. Yes- it all raised red  
Flags but wondered if it was inexperience on this persons part. I have no experience with renting thru a private citizen- only an apartment block.

I have been renting out to tenants for 30yrs now. Suites and single dwelling houses, so yes I do have experience in this subject. This just seems unheard of, but I could be wrong but have never come across this in my 30years having rentals.  
I wonder if she could go down to Landtitles on Princess and for a small fee (maybe) get the owner of the property, if not, may be of some help to explain the situation and get their opinion.  
 
I'm just so worried for this little girl.  
Let me reiterate , please, please be very careful.

Is the address of the house in question?

Gave me an idea.  
Would the girl wanting to rent be comfortable to go to a few neighbours and ask questions about the house to see if it is legit.

it hard to say if its a scam, she saw the place and he asked for a deposit which is normal to hold the rental, A license for proof of details seems reasonable imo and tho not that common a relative to look after a rental when their relative or friend moves, way less sketchy then renting it from BC (if that is true) when pressed the guy didnt double down and press for a deposit, they said sure we will wait to sign papers so that seems ok too.  
 
I have been a landlord numerous times and while you are supposed to get a contract from RTB I have only when I had multiple units, renting a room or a house as stupid as i was i only went off honor (and saved messages ) so i can understand some not doing it or even knowing the proper way if say its a house that brother moved from and a first time landlord  
 
While proceeding with caution and going with your gut is maybe best i wount be so sure it a scam  
 
another way you could do it to protect yourself is either a small deposit that you can afford to loose, like $20, just to show you are serious and rest on move in day with keys in hand or move on  
 
also could you speak to the former tenants?

Yikes "this little girl" how condescending  
 
Young girl or inexperienced girl sure but please dont call anyone who is old enough to rent a little girl unless you know her and are directly referring to her size

I know 2 guys who are brothers, one lives here in town, the other brother lives in BC. They both own rental properties here in Brandon.  
 
The brother here and or his fiancé will show the properties, they tend to be pretty strict on who they rent too as they have had too many crap tenants in the past.  
 
There are lots of people who have rentals here but don't live here and it's all legitimate.  
 
I would just explain to them you are seriously about wanting to rent but would like to look over the rental agreement and sign it before you hand over any money.  
 
Also remember, damage deposit in Brandon can legally only be half of months rent!

Well, it turns out that it wasn’t a scam. I did some more investigating and yes the owner of the house lives in BC but he also has a few rental properties in Brandon. Had it not been a pet friendly rental She might’ve just walked away so I’m glad we  
Looked into it more!

fair enough to be careful and do your research, what everyone should do  
 
Glad it worked out for you

Regular damage deposit is only 1/2 months rent, however the sky is the limit for a pet damage deposit.

According to the government, a pet damage deposit is only allowed to be 1 month's rent.  
 
https://www.gov.mb.ca/cca/rtb/resource_list/pets_landlord.pdf

If you want a great realtor who knows apartments/housing/renting that are safe and such pm me and I'll send you his number and he can help you out and then you avoid scammers. He got me my first apartment then showed me my house we bought later on.