Home rental scams

Craigslist has also provided a home for scammers who post listings of terrific-sounding residences that are for rent at very reasonable rates. These scammers usually are either trying to swindle you out of a "fee" for a fictional credit check or they want to steal your identity.

The consumerist.com website has identified five signs that an ad for a rental house is a scam:

* The house sounds wonderful, but there are no photos. There may be legitimate listings that don't post photos or addresses, but generally the practice should raise a red flag.

* The email used by the person who posted the listing does not sound like a person's name. That may be an indicator that it is an auto-generated email account, preferred because they are difficult to trace.

* The ad promises that the owner will pay for an overly generous number of things like lawn care and trash service. They may promise that pets are OK and deposits are low or payable in installments. This type of ad is obviously created to appeal to the maximum number of potential victims.

* There is a promise that bad credit and even a few previous ejections are no problem. That means they are after victims who have little money and are down on their luck.

* They aren't willing to reveal the house's address until you reply to their ad, perhaps by going to a website and filling out a "free credit report." That report's sole purpose is to steal your identity.

Rental scam on Craigslist

A group of Colorado Springs tenants are warning anyone thinking about using sites like Craigslist to find rental properties.

More than a half dozen folks have come forward saying the deal they were promised turned out to be a dud.

A house located at 1925 Chamberlin in Colorado Springs was listed for rent on Craigslist with rooms going for an average of $350 a month with the promise of all utilities paid. However, when tenants moved in, they say promises quickly turned into lies.

"At first the water was working and the heat was working," tenant Katrina Cerillo said. "Everything was just fine."

Just a few days after moving in, the power was disconnected and the water was shut off.

"Things just went down hill from here," she said.

She's not the only one left in the dark. About 6 others renting separate rooms are left without heat or running water.

"I called him and said ‘hey, the power is off in the house and we kind of need the power on because we have food in the fridge and just bought groceries,'" Cerillo said. "He fed us this lie saying he paid the bill at 5p.m. and it was too late for the crew to turn the power back on."

On a hunch, Cerillo called the power company. She says they told her there was a past due bill in the amount of $1,100 which needed to be paid.

Everyone we spoke with living at the house on Chamberlin tell us they rented rooms from the same landlord, a man by the name of George Peronne and are adamant he promised them utitilities and water were included in their monthly rent.

5 Uncovers Peronne does not own the home at 1925 Chamberlin. Instead, he's renting the property and subleasing rooms to turn a profit.

"This is a scam," Anthony Jackson said. "This is a flat out scam and if the (justice) system can stop this man from doing this to other people, then I think we won this battle."

Jackson is a homeowner who says he rented his house to Peronne who ran the same alleged scam by subleasing rooms, promising paid utilities and then refusing to pay the bill.

When Jackson found out about this operation, he parted ways with Peronne.

"He is ripping people off," Jackson said. "It's all about the money."

There are also allegations Peronne is terminating lease agreements early without offering refunds in order to collect money from new tenants moving in.

"I've seen him move stuff out of people's rooms into the garage or onto the curb before they were supposed to move out," tenant Ronald Jacobson said.

Right now, tenants say they are at a loss. They say Peronne won't return their security deposit, and their electricity and water is still disconnected. 

News 5 participated in an undercover sting Thursday afternoon where Peronne was supposed to show up and show a prospective tenant a room. We waited an hour and a half, but he never showed up.

News 5 also placed calls to Peronne for comment, but we have yet to hear anything back.

Tenants who feel their landlord is not keeping up with his/her end of the deal should first file a formal complaint with them.

Because tenants and landlords are dealing with contracts, a civil case could be filed.

It's always recommended you read over contracts and get all agreements in writing. Verbal agreements rarely stand up in court.

To protect homeowners from dealing with sublease situations, contracts need to specify their property can't be subleased to other tenants.

Craigslist postings regarding this alleged scam were found in the "rooms and shares" tab under "housing".

Renter's rights

Although renters' rights vary by region, many are pretty predictable. Here's a sample of rights likely to be addressed in your state's landlord-tenant law:

1. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to deny housing to a tenant on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, disability, family status, or national origin.
2. Residential rental units should be habitable and in compliance with housing and health codes—meaning they should be structurally safe, sanitary, weatherproofed, and include adequate water, electricity, and heat.
3. Many states limit the amount landlords can charge for security deposits.
4. A landlord should make necessary repairs and perform maintenance tasks in a timely fashion, or include a provision in the lease stating that tenants can order repairs and deduct the cost from rent.
5. A landlord must give prior notice (typically 24 hours) before entering your premises and can normally only do so to make repairs or in case of an emergency.
6. Illegal provisions in a rental agreement (provisions counter to state law) are usually not enforceable in court.
7. If a landlord has violated important terms related to health, safety, or necessary repairs, you might have a legal right to break your lease.
8. If you have to break a long-term lease, in most states landlords are required to search for a new tenant as soon as possible rather than charging the tenant for the full duration of the lease.
9. Damage or security deposits are not deductible for "normal wear and tear." Some states require that a landlord give an itemized report of any deductions.
10. Most states require landlords to return refundable portions of a security deposit within 14 to 30 days after the tenant has vacated the premises, even in the case of eviction.
11. Landlords usually can't legally seize a tenant's property for nonpayment of rent or any other reason, except in the case of abandonment as defined by law.
12. Landlords are legally prohibited from evicting tenants as retaliation for action a tenant takes related to a perceived landlord violation.
13. A landlord cannot legally change the locks, shut off (or cause to have shut off) your utilities, or evict you without notice; eviction requires a court order.
14. If a landlord makes life so miserable for you that it forces you to move, it may be considered "constructive eviction," which is usually grounds for legal action.
15. In many states, it's illegal for a lease to stipulate that the tenant is responsible for the landlord's attorney fees in case of a court dispute.

Short term vs. Long term

Now that you’re ready to list your rental property on Rooof.com, it’s time to consider who your future tenant might be and how long they might be staying.

Not every tenant is looking to stay for the long term, so it’s important to think about whether you want to target your rental house or apartment to tenants who are in it for the long haul or not. There are benefits and disadvantages to both long-term and short-term rentals, and each type of tenant might be looking for something a bit different.

 •••

In cities across Canada and the U.S. where there are colleges and universities, you’ll find student tenants of both varieties. Some hope to stay for the entire duration of their studies, while others will be likely to move around. You can count on the latter being more common, and you might even find that students will only stick around for 6 months at a time.

Potential short-term renters include:

• Students
• Workers on a contract
• People who are new to the city and haven’t found their ideal neighbourhood
• Groups of roommates, or individuals seeking roommates
• Subletters

We could also add vacation renters to this category, but it’s a whole different ballgame so we’ll skip it for this blog.

These short-term renters might have a slightly different wishlist when it comes to their future home. They might be more interested in:

• Proximity to school
• Proximity to their contracted workplace

And most importantly, short-term renters may not be keen to sign a lease, preferring not to be locked in for any specific period of time so they can move around. If this is OK with you as a landlord, great! Both you and the tenant will benefit from a month-to-month agreement.

Beware that skipping a lease could mean your renter might be in and out in a matter of a couple of months. This could leave you as the landlord searching for a new tenant again in the near future and also leaves you open to the risk that your property might go vacant for a while. On the other hand, some landlords prefer month-to-month rentals because it makes it easier to part with problem tenants.

An alternative is to offer the tenant a six-month lease.

  •••

Long-term renters on the other hand might fit into a completely demographic from the short-term variety. Often they’re older with steadier jobs, or they might be families looking for a place to settle. This certainly isn’t always the case – there are plenty of young and unattached renters who plan to stay for a year or more in the same spot.

Or they might be people riding out this economic instability in North America before purchasing property of their own.

• These tenants might want:
• Proximity to schools for the kids
• Playgrounds and services, such as grocery stores, nearby
• A bit of distance from the bustle of the city
• Parking
• Extra bedrooms to have friends and family come visit

Long-term renters will likely be willing to sign a one-year lease, but you may also want to agree on a six-month lease, giving both parties the flexibility to leave, or re-sign if everything goes well.

Happy renting, for the long-term or just for now.

Renters' Rights to Minor Repairs How to get landlords to keep their end of the maintenance bargain.

Your landlord is responsible for keeping your rental unit in a livable condition, though many renters often feel stuck with less-than-ideal living conditions. Maybe the drip, drip, drip of your leaking bathroom faucet is driving you insane, there's an unsightly stain in your living room carpet, or the paint in your kitchen has gone from crisp white to the dingy yellow of spoiled milk. These aren't huge problems and don't justify a move, but you don't just have to live with them, right?

Landlords Must Fix Major Problems

Your landlord must keep the structure of the building sound, including stairways, floors, and roofs; keep electrical, heating, and plumbing systems operating safely; supply hot and cold water in reasonable amounts; and exterminate infestations of pests such as cockroaches.

Keep in mind, however, that if a problem is the result of your own carelessness -- such as a vermin infestation caused by your poor housekeeping -- the repair bill will properly be forwarded to you. If you don't pay it, the amount may be taken out of your security deposit.

Landlords May Have to Make Minor Repairs

What about the annoying problems most tenants face, like leaky faucets, old paint, torn screens, or worn flooring? While these types of problems can be unpleasant or inconvenient, they don't make the unit uninhabitable. Does the landlord have to repair them?

Whether your landlord must take care of a minor repair depends upon a number of factors, beginning with the nature of the problem. Purely cosmetic repairs are not legally required. Mildewed grout or worn carpet, for example, are less likely to require a landlord's attention than are loose tiles that make the shower unusable or holes in carpeting that could trip someone.

If you're not sure whether your landlord is legally required to make a repair, check to see if your specific complaint is addressed by:

• the terms of your lease
• any oral or written promises your landlord has made
• state and local building codes, or
• state landlord-tenant laws.

How to Get Your Landlord to Make Minor Repairs

It's often harder to enforce your rights to minor repairs than major ones. Tenants in an uninhabitable dwelling are often allowed by law to withhold rent or use "repair and deduct" procedures, but taking those actions for merely minor problems could get you evicted. There are, however, a number of proven strategies for getting landlords to take care of minor problems.

1. Write a repair request. Even if you've already asked your landlord to take care of a problem, a written request is almost always helpful. It gives you a chance to articulate the problem clearly and point out why it's in the landlord's best interest to have it fixed. A letter also allows a reluctant landlord to think it over without having to give you an immediate answer (which often results in a knee-jerk "no").

Try to develop a number of themes in your letter. One effective tactic is to explain that the problem might become worse -- and more costly to the landlord -- if it's not taken care of right away. A landlord might find it easy to ignore your drippy faucet until you point out the possibility of an overflowing sink and water damage to the floors.

Another theme that will grab your landlord's attention is the potential for injury. A hole in the stairway carpeting could cause someone to trip and fall, making the landlord liable for the injury. Landlords are also sensitive to security issues, so be sure to point out any security risks created by your problem, such as a broken lock or faulty hallway light. Finally, if the problem affects other tenants, be sure to emphasize that.

2. Propose mediation. If your oral and written requests are ignored, contact a mediation service, which will invite the landlord to meet with you and a trained mediator. The mediator will help the two of you reach a mutually-acceptable solution, but will not (unlike a judge) impose a solution. Many communities offer free or low-cost mediation services as an alternative to going to court. For more information, see the Mediation, Arbitration & Collaborative Law area of Nolo's website.

3. Report your landlord to your local building or housing agency. Some minor problems may violate local building or housing codes. Call the agency that enforces these codes in your area to find out. (Look under the city or county government listings of your phone book.) Officials at the agency should be able to explain whether your problem violates local or state codes, and may be able to take action against your landlord.

Keep in mind that reporting your landlord won't likely improve your relationship, which may be important to you if you want to stay in your unit for some time. Even state "antiretaliation" laws, which prohibit rent hikes, terminations, or other adverse actions following a tenant's complaint to a government agency or exercise of a legal right, cannot forestall a sour relationship.

4. Sue your landlord in small claims court. If you can prove in court that the unaddressed problems decrease the value of your unit, a judge can award you the difference between what you've been paying in rent and the amount the unit is actually worth. Obviously, suing your landlord is not your best option if you want to salvage your landlord-tenant relationship. But if you've tried everything else and moving elsewhere is not feasible, taking your landlord to court might be the right remedy.  For more information, see the Small Claims Court area of Nolo's website.

For legal and practical information to help you deal with your landlord, see Every Tenant's Legal Guide, by Janet Portman and Marcia Stewart (Nolo).

Energy-saving improvements give green light to tenants

Landlords who make energy-saving improvements to their properties, like adding new boilers or loft insulation, stand to make more money in the future.

As a buy-to-let landlord, the chances are that a large majority of your costs – mostly mortgage payments and maintenance – come from a small proportion of the actual bills that come in. So it always pays to keep an eye on the big stuff.

“Buy-to-let should always be geared to minimise tax payable, so look at the finance you have in place to ensure you are not paying tax on excess income,” says Marc Von Grundherr, director of Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings. “It is essential to also monitor the rates being charged so you are not wasting money on interest.”

The rest of your outgoings, depending on your property and tenancy type, come from full management lettings fees and renewal fees, leasehold costs, insurance, professional fees, safety checks and from covering any void periods.

Unexpected costs such as broken boilers and pest control are major culprits, says Robert Burwood from Hudsons estate agents in central London. They can leave landlords out of pocket to the tune of around £1,500 a year, according to a recent survey by Northwood estate agency.

How to plan and organise a successful office relocation

Bruntwood offers expert advice on office relocation so that you can choose the right property and space for the day-to-day operations of your business.

Organising an office move is often an exciting project, while also being a complex process that requires plenty of forward thinking. Therefore, it is important to put plenty of time and effort into the planning stage to make certain that you invest in an office space that complements the day-to-day running of your organisation.

Bruntwood has put together some top tips to consider when planning the relocation of your office so that you can enjoy an entirely successful move.

Plan ahead

Develop a brief with detailed objectives for the relocation. An office transfer is a great opportunity to improve many levels of your business, so carefully consider what you would like to achieve, whether that is additional space, improved facilities or a better location. Also, think about your business development and where your company could be in a few years time, and factor this into the equation.

Then, prepare a detailed relocation plan that outlines your budget, your time frame and desired goal. Throughout the project, regularly refer to this original document to help you stay on track.

Think about the location

With such a wide choice of offices to let in Manchester and across the UK, including city centre premises as well as properties in commercial districts and business parks, you should filter out unsuitable locations and focus on areas that suit your business and workforce.

If clients frequently visit your company, you should consider properties with first class connectivity. Pay close attention to public transport availability as well as motorway access so that visitors and staff members can enjoy a simple and straightforward journey to your office.

Upgrade your office facilities

An office move is the perfect opportunity to review and upgrade your current technology and systems. Consider whether your facilities have been causing any unnecessary disruptions in your present workplace, or if there are any new products or services available on the market, and schedule an upgrade for the same time as your office relocation.

Support your staff

You will need to communicate with your workforce throughout the relocation as they may be anxious about the change. Managing expectations, providing information and answering questions will help staff to understand more, and maintain productivity during the transition.

Choose the right property partner

When renting an office, you will have to liaise with a commercial property provider or landlord, so it is important to find a company you feel entirely comfortable doing business with. Read customer reviews to get a good idea of a company's services, looking closely for a supportive, flexible and attentive commercial space partner who will work hard to meet your expectations.

With these top tips under your belt, take advantage of your relocation by choosing an office space that gives you a chance to increase productivity, reinforce your brand and give your business a fresh lease of life.