Renting sight unseen

David9205 · Oct 7, 2016

Hello,

I'm renting out one of my condo's and have a couple interested in renting it sight unseen and are willing to sign a 1 year lease.

Credit, references and income verification all checked out.

Should I have any concerns having not personally met them?

Thanks for your input,
Dave

Thomas Beyer · Oct 7, 2016

Why ? You prefer only tall people or dark haired ones ?

Or do you mean they have not seen the condo ? That is indeed unusual. Who is showing the condo to them if not you. Where is this condo ?

Cory Sperle · Oct 8, 2016

I would be concerned. Unless it is a mega tight market with nothing available, who in their right mind would chose their home sight unseen? Many property managers will not rent to someone who has not personally, or at least had a friend view the place.

kfort · Oct 8, 2016

Be cautious. Why are they so desperate? Is your place that amazing? Rental market that tight?

More common with short term or company relocations. Less common long term.

I recently did a Skype tour with a set of applicants who were moving from 7hrs away. Went very well and rented to them. Use technology to your advantage.

David9205 · Oct 8, 2016

Thanks for the feedback.

Condo is in Langley, current tenant was paying $1,225 which I thought was low but as they are leaving so I posted for $1,500 thinking I wouldn't get much action however I was wrong. Had 10 responses in 48 hours, I am showing to 6 of them today plus the couple I mentioned above.

The couple is out of town until the end of the month which is why they can't physically be here to see it. I hadn't though of using Skype, I think that's a great idea!

darkness05 · Oct 8, 2016

We got burned once renting to a woman who we never got to meet. Will never do it again. Credit and references checked out (have no idea how) but when she arrived my wife and I both looked at each other and went "Oh no". First rent payment was missed, party the first night and damage all over the condo. Luckily she left after two months on her own accord and we kept the deposit to recoup some costs.

Its strange first and foremost that someone would rent something that they plan to live in for a year without actually wanting to view it. Secondly, you can read a lot from a person just by meeting them and asking them questions face to face.

Thomas Beyer · Oct 8, 2016

Areas with severe rental shortages have different "rules" than in more normal markets.

darkness05 · Oct 8, 2016

I agree Thomas. We are in Kelowna and there is a severe rental shortage here ... and I'm sure its the same in Langley. Makes more sense to me to rent to someone that you have met in person if you have the option (which it sounds like the OP does)

REInvestors888 · Oct 10, 2016

I would be concerned and skeptical.....be aware of scammers! Never take rent deposits, give bank account to transfer the rent deposits or sign a lease unless you or your PM personally meet and show them the unit.

In the past, we received a lot of this type of offers to rent our unit ASAP but respectfully refused them. Most of them reasoned out that they are from outside the province or abroad coming to Canada to work or study and needing a place to stay ASAP.

Just be careful!!!

alaas1977 · Oct 10, 2016

kfort said:
Be cautious. Why are they so desperate? Is your place that amazing? Rental market that tight?

More common with short term or company relocations. Less common long term.

I recently did a Skype tour with a set of applicants who were moving from 7hrs away. Went very well and rented to them. Use technology to your advantage.

I love the idea of Skype tours

Sherilynn · Oct 10, 2016

The only "sight unseen" rentals I do are for my short-term super-suite. For a 2 - 6 month lease, I can tolerate anyone and the tenant can be expected to tolerate the suite even if it isn't exactly what he hoped for.

Otherwise, I won't do them. I have tried a couple of times with no success. In one case the tenant had higher expectations about the neighbourhood (which is difficult to showcase on a video tour).

Furthermore I have found a personal meeting with prospective tenants is much more revealing than any phone or video chat. Sometimes you (or your manager) can't possibly get a true sense of one's personality until you meet in person. Then suddenly you may see the person is not suitable (or the truth behind lies is revealed).

Neal8027 · Oct 14, 2016

Google search & Run a DSS search to gain more insight.
Of course you run a higher risk of alias without seeing Gov issue ID.
You see sight unseen in Canmore all the time as with most resort or zero vacancies areas / markets. I agree with Sherilyn. Meet in person if at all possible. Sounds like you have multiple prospects.

alaas1977 · Oct 14, 2016

Sherilynn said:
The only "sight unseen" rentals I do are for my short-term super-suite. For a 2 - 6 month lease, I can tolerate anyone and the tenant can be expected to tolerate the suite even if it isn't exactly what he hoped for.

Otherwise, I won't do them. I have tried a couple of times with no success. In one case the tenant had higher expectations about the neighbourhood (which is difficult to showcase on a video tour).

Furthermore I have found a personal meeting with prospective tenants is much more revealing than any phone or video chat. Sometimes you (or your manager) can't possibly get a true sense of one's personality until you meet in person. Then suddenly you may see the person is not suitable (or the truth behind lies is revealed).

I totally agree with you Sherilynn, also if you don't say much, people tend to fill the gaps and its surprising what they give away.

David8043 · Oct 25, 2016

Someone who wants to rent unseen might be pulling the overpayment and refund scam. This exact story has happened. The scam artist sent a counterfeit check for two months rent and the damage deposit. The check was drawn on an actual account number held by a medium size company. That way the check will not bounce on NSF, but it will bounce later. The scammer then phones with a plausible excuse like "My job transfer was cancelled". They want the rent refunded and yes, you can hold off on the refund for several days to make sure their check doesn't bounce. They paid you with a counterfeit check, and you will refund them with good funds. Your money will be gone when the counterfeit check is returned to you by the bank

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Renting sight unseen

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