When renting out a property, it is important to stay vigilant of people trying to scam you for money. Since it is a sensitive market, it is prone to scams as well. One such scam can be fake tenancy contracts.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, it can be easy to fall into this trap. If you know your rights fake online tenancy contract can’t harm you.
What are Fake Online Tenancy Contracts?
Fake online tenancy agreements are a scam that people can often fall into in the UAE. These are forged tenancy contracts sold online by suspicious companies to scam innocents to rob them of their money.
Often, people come across and purchase these fake tenancy agreements online to sponsor a family member. The victims of these scams are usually those unable to financially secure their rented accommodations. That is because fake tenancy contracts are often sold as the “easy way out”.
Purchasing or selling a fake online tenancy contract is illegal in the UAE.
Legal Repercussions
Purchasing and using fake tenancy contracts can have severe legal consequences. Therefore, it is critical to be vigilant in your purchase process to avoid this scam. Those caught in the distribution of fake tenancy contracts can face jail, deportation or a permanent ban from the UAE.
For expats, the Ministry of Interior may order to deport the individual if they cannot support themselves financially. The expat’s sponsored family can also be deported in some cases.
It’s integral to follow the rules and stay safe instead of relying on off-hand methods. If someone is not able to afford to sponsor their family, the concerned member can procure an employment visa. In this scenario, the visa sponsorship will be transferred to the other spouse.
How to Avoid Fake Tenancy Contracts
To avoid such scams, it is important to be vigilant when renting a property. Sometimes, scammers are so clever and good at what they do that people might not even notice. They can scam people with tricks the common person cannot figure out.
Fortunately, as long as the tenant is careful, they can avoid falling for fake tenancy contracts. Following are some points to be aware of that will help in avoiding scams.
Real Estate Agency
It is important to rely on proper channels when it comes to looking for a property. Hiring a reputable real estate agency can be helpful when it comes to finding a legitimate property.
It can also be helpful to rely on reputable real estate websites such as Property Finder. You can find various verified listings by propertyfinder without any risk of scams.
Inspect the Property and Landlord
To verify the legitimacy of the landlord, inspect their identification documents. It is also helpful to confirm the ownership status of a property. For instance, Dubai residents can verify the ownership status of a property online through the Dubai Land Department (DLD) website.
Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals
If the price of a property seems too good to be true, that’s likely because it is. The buyer should investigate the market conditions and find competitive prices in that area. It can be beneficial to hire a reputable real estate agent who has good knowledge of the market conditions.
Scan The Agreement
Before signing a tenancy contract, the tenant should carefully examine the contents of the contract for any discrepancies or flaws. The contract should include all the relevant information regarding the property that is to be rented. In the case it does not, it could mean that it is a fake tenancy contract.
FAQs
Utilising the help of a reputable real estate website or an agency will ensure that you avoid any scams.
Consult legal advice. In case you end up signing a fake contract, report it to the relevant authorities.
Fake tenancy contracts have been on the rise due to increased crime. Though the UAE is very strict about crime laws, it can never hurt to be too careful. When you are renting out a property, keep an eye out for anything that might seem suspicious. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
A fake online tenancy contract can be harmful to both the buyer and seller as it could result in jail or deportation. It could also entail a permanent ban from UAE for the deportee. We hope this guide helped you understand fake tenancy contracts and the moves you should take to avoid them.
