flat move - is this dodgy? via gumtree.

[wakkaday]

i am looking to rent a flat. a landlord via gumtree contacts me, he is busy, but arranges one of his "colleagues/friends" to meet me and show me the flat. his name is paul and at times he has called him dave

flat is fine, he has keys etc and its empty. few bits needs bringing in i.e. mattress

on second viewing of flat, mattress is in....and the same "colleague/friend" shows me the flat and brings me a tennancy agreement to sign. the colleague/friend explains to me, that his name is paul david, but some people call him either/or to explain..

i said i will look over the agreement to make sure its all fine, before i hand over any deposit.


"assured shorthold tenancy agreement, 2004 updated" is the name of the document.

and it has a so-called company name written which the agreement is between.. its a Ltd company. i have tried google searching it, but i cant find it online

is there a way i can find out who the company is registered too and if it exists online? i dont want to post the company details here in case its all legit, but if anyone can help i can send you a pm.


appreciate your input

[Graham M]

if the company is legit; you should find it on the webbcheck facility on www.companieshouse.gov.uk
hope this helps

[wakkaday]

hmm it doesnt seem to be there, maybe ill pop down to the office tomorrow and see what the score it? if it exists and the "landlord" name is verified..then i should be ok right?

[joglynne]

Maybe it would be a good idea to contact your Trading Standards Office to see if they have had any complaints about this landlord. I know that Trading Standards had a great deal to say about a landlord my son nearly rented a flat from a few years back.

[Rob]

Sounds quite suspect to me

Have you seen:
Electrical Test Certification
Gas Safety & Boiler Service Records
Energy Performance Certificate

Is any deposti being registered with an independent orgaqnisation i.e. the Tenancy Deposit Service?

Have you any indication that this person is the legitimate long leaseholder (i.e. owner) of the flat, and therefore has the right to sub let it?

[Kymmy]

Also get proof of the lanlords identity and address (DL and Passport at very least) then you'll at least know if his identity is not being hidden from you..

[wakkaday]

thank you for your suggestions. if he has nothing to hide, he should have no problem providing it.

thanks guys

[Peter_]

If it was me I would drop that flat like a hot potato as it sounds suspect and if you thought otherwise then you would never have posted here for advice.

Go with your initial gut feeling and look elsewhere and with a reputable local company.

You do not want to end up out of pocket by virtue of a conn.

[Mick Fisher]

Originally Posted by Masque

If it was me I would drop that flat like a hot potato as it sounds suspect and if you thought otherwise then you would never have posted here for advice.

Go with your initial gut feeling and look elsewhere and with a reputable local company.

You do not want to end up out of pocket by virtue of a conn.

I have to wholeheartedly agree with that advice.

[alferret]

I heard something on R4 news this morning about gumtree and landlord\flat scams, if it were me I would drop it and go to an authorised letting agent.

I cant remember the full jist but along the lines of finding out you have rented property that didnt belong to the person renting it, them doing a bunk and the tennant loosing the deposit\bond monies.

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by alferret

I heard something on R4 news this morning about gumtree and landlord\flat scams, if it were me I would drop it and go to an authorised letting agent.

I cant remember the full jist but along the lines of finding out you have rented property that didnt belong to the person renting it, them doing a bunk and the tennant loosing the deposit\bond monies.

Just check out these links here http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&sourc...&gs_rfai=&fp=1

[Escapee]

My partners step daughter nearly got scammed for a flat rental on Gumtree. I can't remember the details but the guy was claiming he had to move out and re-locate to the South coast. He was offering to post the keys and asking her for money transfer into an account etc.

Gumtree is full of scams, I saw an MV Agusta F4 motorbike on there for £2K. I recognised the picture as the same bike that was on ebay with bidding around £8k at the time. I contacted the ebay seller and he knew nothing of the advert on Gumtree, he appeared genuine and said he would contact Gumtree to get the ad removed and it quickly vanished.

I reported another half a dozen or so dodgy motorbike ads to Gumtree that same week. I notice all the dodgy ones had only mobile numbers listed.

[LSainsbury]

I had a my old Fuji camera on a Gumtree as for a few weeks - I got the usual "I want to buy ot for a friend who's got a posting as a doctor in Nigeria...blah blah..."

I just strung them along for a while for a bit of fun...