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Avoiding scams and staying safe in housing and marketplace deals.
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Safety
Avoiding rental scams
The red flags that catch newcomers, and how to verify a listing before you pay.
For: Everyone — especially first-time U.S. rentersRead guide →SafetyNew York rental scams and unauthorized sublets: what to check before you pay
Arriving academics are a predictable target — abroad, on a deadline, unable to view the place. The specific checks that catch a fake listing, and the separate question of whether the person subletting to you is actually allowed to.
For: Anyone renting sight-unseen in New York, especially from abroadRead guide →SafetyWashington rental scams and unlicensed sublets
In this region the useful checks are licensing checks. Whether a rental is licensed, and whether the person offering it is allowed to, are questions with public answers.
For: Anyone renting sight-unseen in the DC area, especially from abroadRead guide →Looking for something specific? Browse all guides, browse housing, or suggest a guide.