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Thursday, August 29, 2013

Gumtree warnings

I've written before about my less than satisfactory experiences with trying to let my properties using Gumtree.  I know it's free for the first couple of rental adverts, but despite trying the service at least half a dozen time I've never bagged a single tenant with it.  Having said that Gumtree has been great for letting my garages.  I've let them all through Gumtree and have had a cavalcade of exemplary tenants.  On my rental properties ...nothing, zilch!

Gumtree rental scams

It therefore doesn't surprise me when I read that a number of people are using Gumtree to scam unsuspecting tenants by setting themselves up as bogus landlords and then requesting money from unsuspecting tenants.  After the money has been BACS or transferred to the 'landlord' the tenant never hears from them again.  OK...the tenants are somewhat naive parting with money without a tenancy agreement in place but it does highlight the fact that Gumtree without any filters on who uses it and no upfront investment in time or money Gumtree can be a bit of a lettings jungle.  Landlords be on your guard!

Have you had a good or bad experience of trying to let your property through Gumtree - please post your comments below.
 
Get my property on RIGHTMOVE.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I found good tenants on Gumtree - still with us after 3 years. I think it may have got worse since then.

Anonymous said...

I have found two sets of good tenants this way a few years ago, but mainly I find it is people who can't afford the deposit or don't come up to the mark with credit checks and references that contact me via this site. I am Midlands based, so things may be a little different than in the South East.
I believe it is ok to use Gumtree as one part of your property marketing, as long as you do your own careful scrutinies and assessments. Please don't on any account skip these however plausible and exemplary the prospective tenants seem.