8 types of fraud when renting an apartment in Armenia

We talk about typical types of fraud when renting an apartment in Armenia and ways to counter them.

Important note

90% homeowners are committed to doing business honestly and not defrauding expats. Because the rental market is still highly competitive

Description of the method

1. The landlord rents an apartment that he himself rents
2. Refusing to sign a contract
3. After receiving a deposit or prepayment (often in cash) disappears
4. Or, on the contrary, regularly receives payment from you for someone else's apartment

Consequences for the tenant

• Loss of money due to overpricing
• Charge of trespassing
• Accusation of loss/damage to apartment property

Method of counteraction

• Ask for a passport and certificates of registration of state property
• Sign an agreement. Remember: a contract without registration in the Cadastre is not valid

Description of the method

1. The owner of the apartment asks to transfer part of the amount as a deposit before signing the contract
2. The owner of the apartment stops communicating

Consequences for the tenant

Loss of money

Method of counteraction

Do not make any financial transactions before the conclusion of the contract

Description of the method

1. The tenant rents you an apartment. And even signs a contract
2. After some time, pays a visit to the apartment and accuses you of breaking or stealing something
3. Doesn't pay bail or asks for more compensation

Consequences for the tenant

• Loss of collateral
• Loss of time in litigation

Method of counteraction

• Before signing the contract, check the operability of everything: from the shower to the sofa
• In the contract, write down the name and quantity of each item of furniture and household items
• Take pictures of furniture and objects with defects

Description of the method

1. The owner of the apartment signs the contract
2. Then he takes the furniture out of the apartment

Consequences for the tenant

Loss of collateral and deposit

Method of counteraction

In the contract, write down in detail the names of all the furniture that is in the apartment.

Description of the method

1. When making an appointment, the landlord asks to transfer part of the amount
2. It motivates like this: there is a high demand for an apartment, so you need to pay to “keep it”
3. After the transfer of money, the scammer disappears

Consequences for the tenant

Loss of money

Method of counteraction

We repeat: no cash transactions until the conclusion of the contract

Description of the method

1. The owner of the apartment calls the card number for the transfer of payment or deposit
2. you transfer money
3. The owner of the apartment says that the money did not come and demands a retransfer

Consequences for the tenant

Paying rent twice

Method of counteraction

• Call / write to the bank and ask to confirm the fact of the transfer
• Keep the transfer confirmation statement and show it to the landlord.

Description of the method

1. The landlord enters into a contract with you
2. The contract contains the wording "the contract is valid as long as the owner is the owner of the apartment." Or the contract does not indicate that the apartment is rented only to you
3. You move into an apartment, pay a deposit and a monthly fee
4. You will find out that someone already lives in it, or it belongs to someone

Consequences for the tenant

Loss of deposit and payment for at least a month

Method of counteraction

• Make sure there are no suspicious language in the contract
• If something worries you, ask to change the contract.

Description of the method

1. The landlord asks you to transfer the amount for payment of electricity and water
2. Names an amount that significantly exceeds the counters

Consequences for the tenant

monthly loss of money

Method of counteraction

• Ask for screenshots from a utility app or receipts for meter payments
• Before concluding a contract, ask for meter readings.

We have made an overview of the most popular methods of fraud when renting an apartment. To avoid being scammed, follow these guidelines:

• Read reviews about the apartment, if possible
• If there is any doubt, ask for the contacts of previous tenants
• Check the landlord's documents
• Make a balanced decision. Do not fall for manipulations: “I have 3 more people who want to watch”, “If you don’t agree now, then no at all”
• Write in the contract as detailed as possible information about the apartment: its condition, the availability and quality of furniture, the availability and quality of household items
• Do not transfer or transfer money to anyone without documentary evidence: receipts, bank statements, etc.
• If there is something in the contract that you don't understand, ask for it to be changed. Don't explain, just change. Clauses of the contract cannot have an ambiguous interpretation
• Don't trust anyone's word
• If your intuition tells you that something is not right, most likely it is.

In Armenia, apartments are vacated every day. Therefore, do not be afraid to abandon a dubious option. Your home is your castle, not a cage.