How to rent an apartment without intermediaries, rental fraud
Renting a home is not a cheap pleasure. And you need to be very careful to protect your hard-earned money from the swindler.
Perhaps there is no such person now who would never live in a rented apartment. Students, newcomers – everyone has to look for temporary housing. There are many pitfalls in this matter that are worth knowing about in order not to become a victim of a scammer and not be left homeless and without money.
You need to turn on the enhanced security mode in your head even at the stage of viewing ads. Experts advise considering options only with a photo. The point is that many realtors charge for viewing. The amount is usually small, 200-300 rubles, but imagine how much you will spend by looking at a couple of dozen options. And when there are pictures, it’s easier to navigate. In addition, it is worth asking the agent about all the things of interest: furniture, the size of the communal apartment, the condition of the plumbing, etc. Honestly warn that if his story diverges from reality, he will not receive money for watching. This usually works – the realtor is reluctant, but talks about a possible surprise.
Also, do not be lazy to google the address of the house. Who knows, suddenly there is a railway nearby, a restaurant on the ground floor, hot water only on holidays, and the windows overlook a romantic construction site? It will be unpleasant to live in such a place.
The specialists of the Yandex. Real Estate ”is advised to approach the documentary stage as scrupulously as possible. What the owner must present:
– the passport. This is necessary so that you are sure for sure: the apartment is rented by exactly the person whose name is indicated in the contract and documents of ownership of housing. You can check if the passport is valid on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
– a document certifying the ownership of housing. This is an extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate – USRN. This document lists all owners; the owner must be alone, and his identity must match the passport data;
– receipts for payment of utilities. They should be fresh and debt-free.
By the way, the extract from the USRN will indicate whether there are any encumbrances on the apartment: it can be arrested for debts, for example. We don’t need such happiness. But if the housing is in a mortgage, then it’s not scary. The chances that you will be evicted by the bank that gave the loan to the owner is minimal.
Be sure to read the lease. It is usually typical, but it doesn’t hurt to play it safe. Fraudsters often indicate a very short term of the contract. For example, a month. For a second conclusion, you will again pay the realtor for agency services: from 50 to 100 percent of the cost of renting an apartment. The standard term for concluding a contract is 11 months.
Be sure to read the inventory of the property, which, according to the owner, he rents you along with the apartment.
“My landlord demanded a refund for the bed linen. I have lived in this apartment for six years, what kind of linen? ” – says Alexandra, who faced just such an owner.
Discuss the possibility of minor repairs: who will pay for a leaking tap or battery, or fixing a washing machine. All this must also be spelled out in the contract.
It is normal practice to ask the owner to issue you a temporary registration. This does not give you any rights, but it will insure you against minor legal problems: for example, issuing a medical policy. Some employers also require local registration.
You can register at the MFC: come along with the owner, housing documents and passports. You will be given a certificate of registration right there.
Note: what agents are silent about
Realtors often hide such details that you will only see on the spot or even after you check in. Therefore, it is important to walk around a potential home with a literal magnifying glass. What tenants sometimes see:
– the bathroom is on the podium against the wall in the room. No walls. This happens in houses intended for hostels;
– the toilet is located opposite the front door. The door to the bathroom is not provided;
– a shower cabin is installed in the kitchen. It happens in the houses of the old foundation;
– the bathroom tap is fastened with plumbing tape, and the parquet floor under the bed has collapsed in the room. Scotch tape is often used to fix pipes under the bathtub and sink;
– on the floor below there is a family from Central Asia who cooks around the clock. And you smell like overcooked food around the clock;
– there is a kindergarten under the windows. You will never get enough sleep.