Any problems with renting a home or condo?

[DisKim]

How safe is it to rent a condo or home. I used retalo.com and I am thinking about renting a condo. Has anyone ever had any problems with this? If I just send a check, how do I know that this owner is trustworthy?

 

[Jamieb]

It's best to ask the owner for references of previous guests who have stayed with them in the past. I always like to ask the age of the property? how long they have been renting? Is there a management company that they deal with and if so, which one so you can call them as well.

If your looking at Rentalo you can usually see how long they have been on rentalo. If it's been a couple of years you can assume they have not had any issues as they can and are still listing thier property.

Just use good judgement and ask anything you care to know. The owners will anwser any questions you may have. They are used to it since there are always a lot of first time renters.

 

[JANNYANS]

Any owner worth their salt will give you any information you ask for.You can also check on the county webste to see what the ownershiprecords show although you be aware that some counties are slower than others so if it is a new owner the records may not be up to date so ask for the managemnet company details and get them to confirm the ownership. As for trustworthiness -the owner may well be asking themselves the same question - there are some dreadful rentors out- there so if you find a rental you like and feel secure with them they probably will with you so you should be fine .