Renting in NYC
How to Avoid Sublet Scams in NYC (and Tell If One Is a Scam)
Almost every sublet scam follows one script: get you to send money before you have seen the place, through a channel you cannot reverse.
Sublet Buddy Guides2 min read
Midtown at night. Photo: Sublet Buddy.
In This Guide 6 sections
The Signs
The person is out of town and cannot show the apartment. They want a deposit or first month now, to “hold it”. They ask you to pay by wire, gift card, crypto or a payment app. They want to move the conversation to text or another app right away. The price is well under everything nearby. The photos look like a hotel or appear on other listings. Any one of these is a reason to slow down. Two is a reason to stop.
What to Check
See the apartment in person, or on a live video call where they walk through it and show you the view from the window. Ask for the landlord’s written approval of the sublet. Make sure the name on the lease matches the person you are dealing with. Search the photos online. Read the sublease before you pay anything.
How to Pay
Never pay before you have seen the place. Use a method that keeps a record and can be disputed. On Sublet Buddy, rent goes through the site and is held until your move-in date; $5 secures an agreed deal and is credited to your first payment, and there are no security deposits.
What Sublet Buddy Checks, and What It Does Not
Listers verify their identity through Stripe before posting: a government ID and a matching selfie. That tells you a real, identified person is behind the listing. It is not a background check, and we do not inspect apartments or confirm a landlord’s approval for you. Chats hide phone numbers, emails and payment-app names, and a warning appears if a conversation shows the patterns above.
If Something Feels Wrong
Stop paying, keep the messages, and report it. On Sublet Buddy use Report in the chat. You can also report fraud to the FTC and to the New York Attorney General.
Questions
Is this sublet a scam?
If you are being asked to pay before seeing the place, by someone who cannot show it, through a payment app or wire, treat it as one until proven otherwise.
Does “ID verified” mean a listing is safe?
It means the lister’s identity was checked. It is not a background check or a review of the place. Still see it and ask for the landlord’s written approval.
More in Renting in NYC
- How Renting an Apartment in NYC Works, Step by Step4 min read
- NYC Apartment Application: Documents to Have Ready4 min read
- How to Read a NYC Lease: The Clauses That Matter4 min read
- NYC Apartment Viewing Checklist: What to Check4 min read
- Setting Up Utilities in a NYC Apartment: A Checklist4 min read
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<a href="https://www.subletbuddy.com/guides/how-to-avoid-sublet-scams-nyc">How to Avoid Sublet Scams in NYC (and Tell If One Is a Scam)</a> (Sublet Buddy Guides)This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by state, city, building and lease. Check your lease, get your landlord’s written approval before you sublet, and ask a local attorney about your situation.
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