Rental scams rampant in Toronto's tight market
CTV
Prospective renters with their sights set on living in Toronto might want to meet the landlord or view the unit before paying any rent, as two people are speaking out about how they were scammed out of a place to live.
Prospective renters with their sights set on living in Toronto might want to meet the landlord or view the unit before paying any rent, as two people are speaking out about how they were scammed out of a place to live.
It took Jenna Mercer, of Georgetown, Ont., more than a year to find an apartment that seemed perfect for her and her cats.
"I wanted it so bad, and I was telling my parents we have to trust it," said Jenna Mercer of Georgetown.
Mercer found the basement apartment listing on Rentals.ca, a website connecting landlords with prospective tenants looking for a place to rent.
According to Mercer, the man who placed the ad said he had to leave Canada to attend a Christian missionary in the U.S. and was in search of someone who could take care of his home while he was away.
"He was telling me he was sending his house keys through the mail and that's a big thing to do so I trusted him," said Mercer.
Even though Mercer prepaid $780, the keys never arrived.
