10 Tips to Avoid Rental Scams

1. Never submit payment via cash, wire transfer, gift card, cash app, or services such as Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
2. Be wary of low prices. Scammers often list homes below market value to attract interest. If you see a great deal, be sure to do your research.
3. Use reputable rental websites. Tricon Residential does not list their homes on Craigslist.
4. If you think it could be a scam, verify the rental pricing on the rental company’s website.
5. Use a trusted rental agent and ask for identification. Tricon Residential leasing agents carry identification and can show they are official employees.
6. Be aware if an application or lease is printed on paper, overly simple, appears unprofessional or contains typos. Tricon Residential only accepts applications and leases online.
7. Reliable rental companies require a background check. It may be a scam if no background check is required.
8. Never use someone else’s login information. Always create your own account to tour a home or submit an application.
9. Always reference the rental company’s website for accurate tour instructions. The home will never be left unlocked for you to tour.
10. Before renting, conduct thorough research on the rental company, the home, and the neighborhood. Read online reviews to understand other people’s customer experiences.

To learn more, visit our Fraud Prevention page. Additional resources include the National Rental Housing Council and Federal Trade Commission.

Unfortunately, due to the high incidence of fraud in the rental housing industry, both online and in-person, it is essential to ensure that you are dealing with an authorized representative of Tricon Residential. Be savvy and insist on credentials that clearly show that the agent is who they say they are. Tricon Residential representatives are always happy to verify their identity. Do not hesitate to ask for proof.

Contact your local law enforcement agency if you were a target of a rental scam.

If you believe someone other than a Tricon Residential leasing agent is trying to rent you one of our homes call our Fraud Prevention Hotline at 877 241 9085 or email Fraud@TriconResidential.com.

To learn more, visit our Fraud Prevention page. Additional resources include the National Rental Housing Council and Federal Trade Commission.

If you believe that someone other than a Tricon Residential representative is trying to contact you, please visit or contact the Resident Services Office immediately!

National Weather Service
Stay tuned to the National Weather Service for your local area.
A NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts alerts and warnings directly from the NWS for all hazards. You may also sign up in advance to receive notifications from your local emergency services.

Pre-Disaster Resources
Ready.gov/make-a-plan.com
Ready.gov/hurricanes – Explains actions to take when you receive a hurricane alert for your area.
National Hurricane Center – www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards – www.nws.noaa.gov

Post-Disaster Resources
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Housing Assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster support – www.disasterassistance.gov or call 800 621 FEMA (3362)

211.org is a site that provides links to various local resources no matter where you live across the United States.
Simply type in your zip code and you will receive links to several resources for residents, including access to food pantries and programs, mental health counseling, assistance with utilities, paying medical bills and more. Or you can dial 211 on your phone and you will be connected with a local representative who can help you get what you need.

• Report any incidence of fire and/or downed electrical and gas lines to 911.

• Report any damage to Tricon Residential. You’ll need to provide access to the home for insurance, and for contractors to perform any necessary repairs.

• Notify your Renters Insurance company as required by your policy terms.

• If the home is not habitable, leave immediately. You may have family or friends you can stay with, otherwise, there are resources available.

Certainly, the most important thing is to keep you and your family safe. The secondary thing is to do whatever you can to mitigate any damage to the home and your personal belongings. Much damage mitigation can be done in preparation of a natural disaster.

• Depending on the type of natural disaster, it may be necessary to leave the home and get you, your family and pets to a safe location.
• It may be necessary to turn off the home’s main gas line, main water supply and electricity.
• Bring inside or tie-down exterior personal property that may cause damage or injury to others if it becomes unsecured.
• In extreme cold weather, you must insulate external water pipes to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Conserve fuel. Winter storms can last for several days, placing great demand on electric, gas, and other fuel distribution systems (fuel oil, propane, etc.). Lower the thermostat to 65°F (18°C) during the day and to 55°F (13°C) at night. Close off unused rooms, and stuff towels or rags in cracks under the doors. Cover windows at night.
• Consider having more than one heat source in case the power goes out, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove with dry firewood, or a gas log fireplace. Also have extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm winter coats on hand.
• Fill gallon containers with water and place them in the freezer to help keep food cold.
• Keep abreast of local city, state and county agency’s alerts, updates and advice.
• Stay informed of messaging from Tricon Residential. Depending on the type of natural disaster, Tricon Residential will have detailed information available to ensure your safety and the protection of your home and property.

The best advice is to prepare in advance for a natural disaster, and know the steps to take after the disaster. If your area is prone to hurricanes, flooding, tornados, snowstorms and arctic freeze, wildfires, earthquakes or other natural disasters, it is important to be prepared by having an action plan in place that will help keep you and your family safe, mitigate damage and expedite recovery.

Know your responsibilities related to a natural disaster, and you can better protect your family and property. Here are some pre-emergency tips that relate to most types of natural disaster:

• Stay informed and heed local city, state and county agency’s advice.
• Have a family communication plan in place. You may all be in different locations when disaster strikes, so know how to contact one another, have a plan to get back together, and discuss what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Have an emergency kit at home for at least three days of self-sufficiency, including bottled water, basic food and essential hygiene items.
• Make sure you have a cell phone with an emergency charging option (car, solar, hand crank, etc.) in case of a power failure.
• If you depend on electricity to operate medical equipment, have an alternate power source in case of a power outage.
• Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone knows how to use them.
• Know where and how to turn off the main gas line, water supply and electricity to the home, should you need to.
• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it in case you lose power.
• Make sure you have renters insurance and/or flood insurance, and secure important documents in a safe location.

For consideration as a new vendor, email to vendorpro@triconhomes.com to request a vendor questionnaire.

If you are interested in partnering with Tricon Residential, please contact us at vendorcompliance-ca@triconhomes.com with your proposal.