After recent reports of scammers infiltrating the real estate market, Chicago has been hit in a completely new way. Fraudsters have been reported to break into empty apartments or homes, replace the locks, advertise the property for rent — even though they don’t own it.
Housing experts say the scams picked up speed after the pandemic shutdowns. Vacant properties weren’t being closely watched and left vulnerable to intruders.
In these circumstances, fraudsters break into empty apartments or homes, replace the locks and advertise the property online. Prospective tenants sign a lease, pay a security deposit, and pay monthly rent to the supposed landlord. When that happens, the scammer flees, and the tenant faces eviction from the real owners.
With these new circumstances, it is now more than ever, important to Safely secure your property. Another great way to keep a property secure is to hire a property management group to keep a watchful eye.
If you’ve never worked with a property management company, you may be surprised at how much they can help with tenancy turnovers, as well as other aspects of being a landlord.
Property managers are able to contract out the necessary work, market the property for new tenants, oversee and manage the property itself and any work occurring at the property, and communicate with departing tenants to get everything is taken care of.
