How do I know landlord is genuine before paying deposit?

[Heyimdhruv]

I was interested in apartment, applied from daft and viewed the apartment in person.

After communicating with landlord over email about confirming the apartment, she sent me daft swiftcourt contract which have all the information.

I met landlord in person and they are basically from London

landlord is asking me to pay rent and deposit before collecting keys.

Now should I trust on digital contracts and send rent and deposit or it seems to be scam

 

[DannyBoyD]

Did you meet the owner in the property?

 

[Heyimdhruv]

Did you meet the owner in the property?

Yes. In fact I had video call with owner to discuss payment.

I am just concerned about paying rent and deposit before getting keys

 

[DannyBoyD]

I need to ask again - did you meet the property owner inside the actual property when you went to view it?

Did the owner ask for references?

Did they ring your referees?

I personally wouldn't handover keys until I had rent & deposit paid. But these days it can be done on the same day with Revolut or similar, and I would only do it in person.

To be honest, if you have any concern better to walk away.

 

[dublinaam]

A landlord is not going to give you keys until you have paid 1st month upfront and 1 month deposit

 

[Sue Ellen]

Getting keys means nothing either as plenty of people have got keys but found afterwards that they did not work in the locks.

An Garda Siochana have some advice on Google.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

viewed the apartment in person.

So the landlord showed you the apartment himself.

Probably legit.

But it's possible that he is just renting it himself and scamming lots of people.

Brendan

 

[Savvy]

The only way you could be close to 100% sure is to check land registry records(costs €5 at https://www.landdirect.ie/pramap/) to see who the property is registered and check against the landlords ID.

 

[presidenttttt]

What's your actual concern here? You want keys before you pay a dime?

 

[Savvy]

Now should I trust on digital contracts and send rent and deposit or it seems to be scam

What's your actual concern here? You want keys before you pay a dime?

With the amount of scams going, a private landlord that is based outside of Ireland should at least have you questioning if its legit.