How do I know she's legit?

User Forum Topic
Submitted by rube on July 16, 2009 - 8:14pm

I am in the market for a SFH to rent. I have one in particular that I found on craigslist, seems like a very good deal. So I go over to meet the owner, who is living there(along with a couple of what look like family members), and walk the place. It's kind of dirty, walls are a little beat up, etc., but the size/location/price are great. Anyway, I'm getting weird vibes from the "owner". My question is: before I extend any sort of deposit, what's the best way to prove she has a legal right to rent the property to me? Thanks Piggs...

‹ How banks are planning to get the most of your money in this market Tired of doing the right thing...need advice ›
I dunno, do you really want
Submitted by Hatfield on July 16, 2009 - 8:19pm.

I dunno, do you really want to rent from someone who gives you weird vibes? This is going to be your home, I'd say pick somewhere you're going to be comfortable.

When a nagging voice in your head tells you something, listen!

Just my $0.02

Well, okay, forget the weird
Submitted by rube on July 16, 2009 - 9:11pm.

Well, okay, forget the weird vibes and everything else. How does any renter verify that they are dealing with the owner? I mean, it seems like it would be a fairly easy scam for an outgoing tenant to conduct in order to pocket a couple thousand $...

Have somebody pull the
Submitted by urbanrealtor on July 16, 2009 - 9:40pm.

Have somebody pull the ownership record and verify that the person you are talking to is the person referenced on title.

Punch the address in on this
Submitted by waterboy on July 16, 2009 - 10:14pm.

Punch the address in on this site and see if it matches the owners name...you can also see if they are current on their property taxes, but you still have no clue they are paying the mortgage. Ask them why they are renting the place and also see what assurance they can give you that the payments are being made. If they are hesitant then might be hiding something

https://www.sdctreastax.com/ebpp3/(boye5qb3xnocofyu1ngm3ozl)/Start.aspx

oooo that's what I need but
Submitted by rube on July 16, 2009 - 10:38pm.

oooo that's what I need but for OC. the prop is in mission viejo. I searched but could only find the county site which does show they paid in '08, but no names. anyone....bueller?

(thanks waterboy)

If you can post or PM me the
Submitted by thenewguy on July 17, 2009 - 9:22am.

If you can post or PM me the address I can provide you the owners name.

Bump
Submitted by flu on July 17, 2009 - 9:45am.

Bump

This scenario actually
Submitted by UCGal on July 17, 2009 - 10:15am.

This scenario actually happened to me 20 plus years ago. I rented a small 2 br house in Normal Heights on 36th street, adjacent to the old safeway. Turns out the guy I rented from had been hired by the Safeway corp to keep the lawn mowed and empty the house (and a bunch of others like it) because they were building "super stores".) Instead he was living in one, and renting the others. 18 months later we get a letter from Safeway corp asking us what rent we've been playing and giving us 60 days notice. The guy went to jail.

It was a hassle to move - but it was a great and inexpensive place to live for a year and half when I was going to SDSU.

(House is now torn down with a supermarket on top of the site.)

Thanks for your comments. I
Submitted by rube on July 17, 2009 - 11:59am.

Thanks for your comments. I had an attorney friend do some searching. Turns out she is the owner. Interestingly, there was an NOD filed in April, not sure if that was cured. I'm foreseeing headaches.
A lesson I've learned though - renters need to do DD too!

when i sold my house i had my
Submitted by Oxford on July 19, 2009 - 11:56am.

when i sold my house i had my agent check out the property i wanted to rent. they owed taxes and had other issues. i walked. it pays to check things out.

ox
...but i did send a grand to a nice fellow in Nigeria and waiting for my keys.