Rental ripoffs are on the rise
Finding a place to lay your head in the city that never sleeps is no easy task. Aside from miniscule spaces, brick-wall views and hefty rents, there are scammers looking to take your money and run.
The state Attorney General’s office said it has seen a rash of rip-off artists posing as landlords or real estate agents on Craigslist.
They often charge up-front fees for properties they don’t represent or that don’t even exist.
To avoid scams, the AG suggests consumers never wire money or send a scan of their passport or other ID at the request of a potential landlord.
Check records to make sure you know who owns the property and research the company you’re working with, the AG said.
Once you’ve found your perfect pad, you still have to watch out: Having someone move your stuff comes with its own pitfalls.
The nightmare scenario is a mover who gives a reasonable quote and then on moving day holds your belongings hostage on their truck until you pay far more.
“It’s not like buying a toaster oven,” said David Hauenstein, vice president for compliance services at the American Moving & Storage Association. “You’re giving these guys all your worldly possessions, so it’s helpful to check them out a little bit.”
Get estimates from at least three companies, have them do an in-home survey of your things, and be wary of low-ball offers, experts suggest.
Make sure the company is licensed with the Department of Transportation. For moves between states, check protectyourmove.org. Within New York State, call (800) 786-5368, or email nymoving@dot.state.ny.us.
You can also check them out by contacting the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), or ASMA (moving.org), which has its own screening criteria.
Get everything in writing. Interstate moves are usually priced by weight and distance, while local moves are often priced by the hour. Estimates can be binding, where the price is fixed, or nonbinding, where the price is determined at the end of the move.
For moves within a state, you shouldn’t have to pay more than 25% above the estimate for hourly moves or 10% for weight-related moves to get your stuff released. You have to pay the rest later.
Know what you’ll get if your goods are broken or lost. For no added charge, a mover usually has to assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per article. That means you might only get $6.00 for a $1,000 stereo. You can opt to pay for a higher level of protection.
elazarowitz@nydailynews.com