Nicole stuck for a place to stay after falling victim to scam on Gumtree
A Dundee woman has warned potential house renters looking for accommodation on Gumtree not to fall for the same scam which has rendered her homeless, despite paying her rent in full and cleaning and redecorating her new flat.
Nicole Collins with her worthless rental agreement.
- By Alan Wilson
- Published in the Courier : 31.01.12
- Published online : 31.01.12 @ 01.06pm
Nicole Collins (25), who rented her flat in Arklay Terrace from a private landlord through the classified advertising website, says she was shocked a week later when a council worker told her the flat belonged to them and she had been duped.
Nicole said the previous tenant had been claiming council housing benefit but had not paid the rent for six months and had handed back the keys saying he had moved out.
But according to the businessman who rented her the flat, the same person had told him he had bought the flat from the council and asked him to act as an agent for him in renting it out.
As a result, Nicole, who works full-time in a city centre pub, has now been told she can't stay in the flat as the council needs to take it back on February 13. She is now having to move into temporary accommodation in a council homeless unit until she can find a place to stay.
''I found the flat on Gumtree, contacted the guy whose details were on it and arranged to go and view it,'' Nicole said. ''He had the keys and let me in, he showed me round and we discussed the rent and came to an arrangement and I said I would decorate it.
''We arranged to meet up a week later on January 20 and I signed the lease and moved in. It all seemed above board, he had the keys and the tenancy agreement was spot on.
''I cleaned the whole place out and started redecorating it but then on Friday I got a knock on the door from a woman from the council debt recovery department looking for an Asian man who she said lived there.
''I told her there was no-one here by that name and that I had just moved in and was renting from a private landlord.
''But then she came back a couple of hours later and said she was sorry, but she had checked and the man had handed his keys back and the flat still belonged to the council.
''I won't be going on Gumtree for a house again. I've emailed them to let them know about the scam and I just want to warn others who might be fooled by the same scam.''
A spokesman for the city council confirmed: ''The council keeps a list of properties that are available to let at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/forms/availprops.php or by calling 01382 307400.''
01.54pm - 31.01.2012 adam - dundee, uk Report This
in a way its the councils fault for not changing the locks on the property but if the property was vacant why do the council not let the girl stay there
03.38pm - 31.01.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
before you can get a tenancy the council has to check eligiblity by way of ID and a bit of housing history which ought to be on file about the previous tenant. the council administers housing benefit system it too requiring ID verification.and with social housing usually paid directly to landlord
09.48am - 02.02.2012 Stan Pitout - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Who is this "Businessman" and has he handed back this girl's rent? Name and shame him if he hasn't. The illegal sub letting of social housing is common and only comes to light when the social landlord is not paid as in this case. Something smells here - more investigation needed.
05.33pm - 02.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
council have to go after the original tenant for the arrears(their name on the lease,their responsibility)and the sub. tenant for the overpayment of h.benfit,no lease no entitlement.Ms Collins should go after the'businessman'as she did n't get the goods.MSP's ought to take an interest in subletting
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