Fake Government Agency Leasing My Apartment?

[James G.]

Hi BP. There is this lady who claims that she is with a government agency (we'll call it #1). She claims that she gets in contact with other government agencies (#2) and that #2 inspects the units, and then disperses the check to #1. #1 will then disperse the check to my property manager. This seems a little too good to be true, as she is stating that she can fill up my entire apartment complex with this company. What are the repercussions for me if this is a scam? Is there anyway that I can protect myself? She is signing the leases with my property management company tomorrow, and then she said that the rental check will arrive a few days after that. What's in it for her here and what can I write on the lease to ensure that she pays every month. Can she be sued if this is a scam? My biggest fear, is that in a few months, she decides that she is not going to pay rent anymore, and that I will be in big trouble financially. Looking forward to hearing some thoughts.

[Mitch Messer]

Hey @James G.! As a matter of principle, nobody — nobody — get's to sit down for a lease signing with us without certified funds hitting the table at the same time (if not before).

More often than not, "the rental check will arrive a few days after" hell freezes over!