Brokers aren’t the only risk. As the rental market moves online, scams have become more common. Here are the 5 red flags every tenant in Jaipur must watch for before paying any token money.
Red Flag 1: The “Too Good to Be True” Price
You see a listing for a fully-furnished 2BHK in a prime Vaishali Nagar society for ₹8,000. The average price is ₹18,000. This is a trap. Scammers use low prices to lure you in. They’ll steal photos from other listings to make it look legitimate.
Red Flag 2: The “I’m Out of Town” Landlord
You connect with the “owner” who says they are out of the city (or country) for an emergency. They can’t show you the flat but will “courier the keys” as soon as you transfer the deposit. This is a scam. You will send the money, and the “owner” will disappear.
Red Flag 3: The Fake Token Money Urgency
The broker or “owner” tells you, “I have 5 other families waiting. If you want it, you must pay a ₹5,000 token right now to ‘lock’ the deal.” This is a high-pressure sales tactic. They create false urgency to make you pay before you’ve had time to think, read the agreement, or verify the property.
Red Flag 4: Refusing to Show Ownership Proof
Ask the landlord to see a copy of their name on an electricity bill or the property’s title deed. If they get defensive, make excuses, or refuse, walk away. You may be dealing with someone who isn’t the real owner and has no authority to rent the property.
Red Flag 5: The Vague or “Oral” Agreement
The landlord says, “Don’t worry about the agreement, we can just trust each other.” Or they give you a one-page document with no details on:
a) Rent Increase Policy
b) Maintenance (Who pays for repairs?)
c) Security Deposit (When and how is it returned?)
d)Notice Period