We Are Not a Broker
Please be aware that iranian-realtor.com, RentPath, and its affiliates (collectively, โiranian-realtor.com,โ โweโ or โusโ) is not a real estate broker, mortgage broker, or lender, and the iranian-realtor.com site does not (and is not intended to) establish a brokerage relationship or any agency or fiduciary relationship between you and iranian-realtor.com. Further, iranian-realtor.com does not participate in lease transactions or money transfers. You are strongly encouraged to obtain assistance from a licensed real estate professional and/or attorney in connection with the negotiation and completion of any real estate transaction or transfer of funds,
Do not do business with anyone who promises that iranian-realtor.com (or any of its affiliates) is handling any part of the actual lease transaction, including payment protection, apartment certification, escrow services, or “satisfaction guarantees” of any kind.
Rental Search Safety Tips
We offer a neutral online advertising venue for potential renters, landlords, and property managers to obtain and exchange preliminary real estate information with each other. We take great pride in the fact that the vast majority of listings oniranian-realtor.com are legitimate; however, please be aware that some individuals may post property rental listings for the sole purpose of scamming a potential renter. While we do everything we can to help and protect renters using iranian-realtor.com, occasionally we hear about unusual or suspicious communications between potential renters and individuals posing as property owners which resulted in the renter being scammed. For this reason, we have compiled the following list of tips on recognizing potential scams to help provide a safer online rental experience.
If it seems “too good to be true,” it probably is and you should beware.
Does the monthly rent for the apartment seem unusually low or significantly less than market value for the area? Investigate similar apartments in your desired area to determine the approximate rent that you should expect to pay. Trust your instincts, never send money without seeing the rental, stop all communications and walk away from any suspicious situation.
Check out who you’re dealing with online.
Make sure to meet your prospective landlord or property manager in person before deciding to rent an apartment or providing any personal information about you. If you feel like any contact or communication you are receiving is suspicious, look up the individual’s name or company online to see if you can find any further information.
Avoid unusual forms of payment.
Never use a wire transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram, or an online escrow service when sending money (such as a down payment or security deposit) for an apartment. Always try to deal locally and never send money overseas.
Never rent an apartment “sight unseen.”
Before sending or paying any money (including by cashier’s check), ensure that the apartment’s condition, size, features, and amenities match what was described in the online listing by visiting the apartment yourself or by asking a friend to visit for you. Don’t fall for “send me the deposit and I will send you the keys”.
Common Signs of Online Apartment Fraud
While none of the examples below are a definite indication of fraud, proceed with caution if you encounter any of these conditions when dealing with a landlord or property manager. Please note that the example emails below contain misspellings, poor grammar and incomplete sentences which are frequently seen in situations where a fraud may exist.
Landlord in distant location
The landlord or property manager claims to reside far away from the apartment, often outside the United States, and is unavailable to speak by phone or meet face-to-face.