Rental Fraud Warning- BBC

7th November 2024
Posted in BBC, Fraud Awareness, Fraud recovery experts, Legal Help

Richardson Hartley Law appeared on BBC’s Morning Live to discuss rising rental scams.

Senior Partner Martin Richardson joined reporter Matt Allwright to explain how prospective tenants can protect themselves and what more the industry should be doing to prevent these scams.

As part of the segment, our client Alma Talbot bravely shared her experience as a victim of rental fraud. Alma had been shown around a flat by an individual posing as the landlord and subsequently paid £19,000 upfront for a year’s rent. Only later did she discover that the person she had dealt with did not own the property at all. The fraudster disappeared with her money.

Alma contacted Richardson Hartley Law shortly after realising what had happened, and we were able to recover the full amount for her within a week.

During the interview, Martin highlighted several simple but effective steps renters can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to similar scams. He noted that even a basic online search of the landlord’s name—paired with the word “scam”—can reveal red flags. He also emphasised the importance of conducting a Land Registry check, which costs just £3 and confirms the true owner of a property.

Martin explained that while tenants can carry out these checks themselves, they should not have to shoulder that responsibility alone. In his view, letting agents ought to perform ownership checks as standard practice, ensuring that properties are legitimately offered for rent before they reach the market.

At Richardson Hartley Law, we remain committed to supporting victims of rental fraud and advocating for stronger safeguards across the sector. If you believe you have been affected by a similar scam, our team is here to help.

Mr Richardson said: “We try and work with the media as much as possible to give fraud prevention advice.

“Rental scams have devastating consequences for victims. We have one rental scam victim who was left homeless after paying a full year’s rent in advance.’

Learn more about: Rental Fraud.

If you have fallen victim to a rental fraud contact us today.