landlords authenticity (apartments, renting, transfer)

[SolidSnake]

this may be a retarded question but screw it better safe then sorry. when you meet a "home owner" and are interested in renting from them, whats the easiest way to find out they are who they say they are and they own the place. I know id obviously but how can i be sure they own the place and are not scamming me without actually asking to see the deed and seeming untrusting!

[chet everett]

I'm guessing that the guy for some reason gave you a bad vibe. Did he allow to see the INSIDE of the building? Did he tell you about current residents? Did he have a nice list of utility contacts and maybe some sample bills? If the answer to the majority of those questions was NO then this guy is either very inexperienced or a scammer. You could probably do a title search to see who owns the place, but you should not have to go that extent...

[aragx6]

I really don't think most landlords have utility contacts or sample bills with them. I've rented many apartments (and looked at many more) and never had a potential landlord do that.

If they key-in to an apt., that's probably a good sign they own the place. And definitely get to see the place. I sort of figure this kind of scam would be much more likely to occur if you were renting the place sight unseen.

[chet everett]

When I had two & four flats I always had utility bills for my "owners unit" on hand. When I had a six flat that I did not live in I had the lights for the corridor and outside on a meter that I got the bill for and had the gas for the laundry room in my name too. It would not be a problem for me to show that to a tenant. I suppose if the place was not on separated utility meters or was managed by some larger firm that might not be the case.

[aragx6]

I understand that you might do that, but what I'm saying is that the OP shouldn't doubt a landlord's authenticity because he doesn't show them utility bills. Few landlords do so, but that doesn't make them any less legitimate.

[chet everett]

The landlord ought to have SOMETHING like a water bill from the city, or a ComEd bill or a Peoples Gas bill that has the building's address and their own name on it if they own the place. The OP said the 'landlord' claimed to be a "home owner" -- that is pretty standard stuff to prove you are a homeowner .

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake

this may be a retarded question but screw it better safe then sorry. when you meet a "home owner" and are interested in renting from them, whats the easiest way to find out they are who they say they are and they own the place. I know id obviously but how can i be sure they own the place and are not scamming me without actually asking to see the deed and seeming untrusting!

That and you don't want your severed head to end up on a cake tray in the freezer. If something seems off to you, it often is, so rely on your gut. Plenty of apartments out there. Chet gives some good advice, though if the "landlord" is some freak of nature he may own the place.

[Attrill]

You can ask the landlord how long they've owned the building, and if it has been at least a year and after 1997 you can find the property transfer here.

The building may show up as being in someone else's name (i.e. a spouse, parent, or sibling) but the vast majority of the time it should show up in the landlord's name.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Attrill

You can ask the landlord how long they've owned the building, and if it has been at least a year and after 1997 you can find the property transfer here.

The building may show up as being in someone else's name (i.e. a spouse, parent, or sibling) but the vast majority of the time it should show up in the landlord's name.

Great work.