When people move to a new city, one of the first ideas is to ask for recommendations from friends, family, or peers who already live there. It seems logical: if your friend lives in a good apartment and recommends that complex, then you'll be fine there, right? Plus, in the age of social media like Facebook, Kijiji, and RentFaster, it seems easy to just scroll through a few listings, find the perfect place, and move in tomorrow.
However, the reality is much more complicated. On the one hand, searching through friends and social media has great advantages. On the other hand, this method of searching carries enormous risks, especially in recent years when the number of scams has increased significantly. This article explores both aspects and gives you practical advice on how to safely search for housing through friends and social networks in Edmonton.
Advantages of finding housing through acquaintances
Finding housing through acquaintances and word of mouth (often referred to as recommendations) has several real advantages that should not be underestimated.
Trust and verified information
When your friend recommends an apartment or house, you are getting information from someone you trust, not a stranger on the internet. Your friend already lives or has lived in this place, so they can give you a realistic idea of what the accommodation actually looks like and how it works. They can tell you about problems that are not visible in the photos — for example, that the neighbors are noisy, that the parking is always full, or that the heating does not work well in winter.
In addition, if your friend recommends a landlord or management company, you don't have to worry about whether that landlord is a criminal or a fraud. Your friend has already interacted with them, so you can be sure that they are a real person or company, not a fictional character.
Skipping the line and special offers
Sometimes, when you find housing through acquaintances, you can skip the official line. For example, if your friend lives in a complex and knows someone from management, they can recommend you. In this case, you can get access to properties that have not yet been officially listed on the market. This gives you a competitive advantage, as there may be less competition than when the property is officially advertised.
In addition, the person who recommends you can help you get better terms. For example, they can advise you on how to best describe yourself when talking to the landlord, or they can personally assure the landlord that you are a reliable tenant.
Saving time and resources
Searching for housing can be a very exhausting process. You need to review hundreds of ads, contact landlords, arrange visits, wait for responses, and so on. When you get a referral from a friend, you can skip all that initial work. Your friend has already filtered out the best options for you, so you can move straight on to discussions with the landlord.
It also saves money. You don't have to pay to use some paid search platforms if you find accommodation through friends.
Better relationship with the landlord
Landlords are generally more willing to work with people who are recommended by their current tenants. Getting to know the landlord through a friend often means that a better relationship is established from the outset. The landlord already has a positive recommendation about you, so you don't have to fight to prove that you are a good tenant.
Cons and risks of searching through acquaintances
However, searching through acquaintances also has its drawbacks, which are often underestimated.
Limited selection
The number of people you know in Edmonton is limited. This means that the offers you receive from them are also limited. Your friend may know of two or three places, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of places in Edmonton. If you rely solely on referrals from acquaintances, you may miss out on many better options that are simply not within your acquaintances' network.
In addition, recommendations from acquaintances are often biased. Your friend may recommend a complex located near their work, but that doesn't mean it's a good choice for you. Your needs may be different.
Relationship problems
If you rent a place recommended by a friend and something goes wrong, it can affect your friendship. For example, if the landlord treats you badly, you may blame your friend for not offering you a better option. Or if you can't pay your rent on time, your friend may feel responsible for recommending you there.
On the other hand, if you rent a place in your friend's house or from a landlord your friend knows, your friend is on the receiving end of any conflict you have with the landlord. If you have problems with the landlord, it could also damage your friendship.
Lack of options and flexibility
If you rely solely on recommendations from acquaintances, you may be offered a place that does not fully meet your needs, but you take it anyway because it is the only option you have. This is not a good situation for making decisions about something as important as housing.
Advantages and risks of searching through social networks
Social networks such as Facebook, Kijiji, and RentFaster have changed the way people search for housing. They offer both advantages and risks.
Advantages of searching through social media
On the positive side, social media gives you access to a huge number of listings from many landlords. You can view hundreds of properties in a matter of hours, compare prices, and choose the options you like best. This gives you many more opportunities than you would get from friends and family.
In addition, social networks allow you to save and filter options. You can set up alerts for new listings that match your criteria, so you'll be the first to know about new properties. Many platforms, such as RentFaster, allow you to compare properties, save your favorite listings, and organize your search.
Some platforms, such as RentFaster and liv.rent, also have built-in checks and verification. They screen landlords and filter out obvious scams, giving you an extra layer of protection.
Risks of searching through social media
On the other hand, social media is a prime target for scammers. Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are home to a huge number of fraudulent listings. Scammers post listings for properties they don't own, using photos copied from real listings, and offer rentals at a cheaper price to attract victims.
A typical scenario: you see an ad for an apartment at a surprisingly low price. You contact the “landlord,” they show you photos (which are actually copied from another ad), arrange a visit, and you assume that this landlord is legitimate because they allowed you to see the property. You sign the lease and pay the deposit. Then, when you try to move in, the landlord disappears, or the place turns out to be already rented to someone else. Or worse: on moving day, he doesn't show up, and you realize that the place doesn't exist.
According to the Edmonton Police Service, the number of such scams has increased significantly in recent years. In just one case, in which the police investigated an ad on Facebook Marketplace at 7516 147 Ave in the Kilkenny area, multiple people were defrauded of nearly $11,000.
Common types of scams when looking for housing
To avoid scams, it is important to understand how they work.
Scams involving fraudulent landlords
In this type of scam, a person pretends to be a landlord or real estate agent and rents out a property that does not belong to them. This may be a property that actually exists but that the landlord purchased or rented without having the right to do so. Or it may be a property that the landlord simply found and decided to rent out for profit.
Scammers in this scenario often have access to the actual property. They may give you keys or arrange a viewing. To create a more convincing image, some of them even have documents or tell very convincing stories about why they are renting the property.
Photos copied from other sources
Many scammers do not bother to photograph real properties. Instead, they copy photos from other listings, sometimes even from real estate websites or archived listings. If you suspect that the photos look too good or too professional, you can use Google Image Search to check if these photos are used elsewhere on the internet.
The art of appearing legitimate
Some scammers go to great lengths to appear legitimate. They pretend to be foreign landlords who live abroad and cannot show the property in person. They offer “special conditions” such as the first month free or reduced rent. They may invite you to visit at a specific time when the property is supposedly available.
Quite often, scammers even allow you to see the property in person. They may give you the keys or invite you to come at a specific time. However, they do not own the property. Once you sign the lease and pay the deposit, they disappear.
Red flags and how to spot them
To avoid fraud, you need to be able to spot “red flags” — signs that something is wrong.
The price seems too cheap
If the market price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,500, and you see an ad for $800, that's a red flag. Scammers often set prices below market value to attract more desperate tenants. Always check the prices of similar properties in the area to make sure the price is realistic.
There are no photos or they are of poor quality
Legitimate landlords usually show many photos of their properties — the living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and yard. If the ad has only one or two low-quality photos, this may be a sign of fraud.
The landlord does not want to show you the property or keeps postponing the appointment
If the landlord refuses to let you see the property in person or keeps postponing the appointment without a valid reason, this is a red flag. Legitimate landlords are usually willing to show you the property at a time that is convenient for you.
The landlord wants you to send a deposit before viewing the property
You should never pay a deposit without viewing the property first. If the landlord insists that you send money before you see the property, it is almost certainly a scam.
The landlord wants payment through unsecured channels
Legitimate landlords usually accept payments via bank transfer, check, or credit card. If the landlord wants you to send money via PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Western Union, or MoneyGram, this is a red flag. These are not typical payment methods for renting a home, and money sent through these channels is virtually impossible to recover if something goes wrong.
The landlord does not want to give you the address or information about the property
If the landlord refuses to give you the exact address or unit number, this is very suspicious. How can you rent a place if you don't know where it is?
The landlord demands a quick decision or deposit
Scammers often use urgency tactics. They tell you that other people are also interested in the place, and if you don't send a deposit today, they will rent it to someone else. This is a classic pressure tactic. Legitimate landlords usually give you time to think.
Practical tips for a safe search
Whether you are searching through acquaintances or social networks, here are some practical tips for safety.
Always visit the property in person
Never, ever sign a lease or pay money without first viewing the property in person. You need to see the condition of the property, make sure it matches the description, and get to know the area.
Check photos using reverse image search
If you are concerned that the photos in the ad have been copied, open Google Images and drag the photo into the search field. If the photos appear elsewhere on the internet, it may mean that they have been copied.
Ask to see proof of ownership
When you meet with the landlord, ask them to show you documents that prove they own the property. This could be a lease agreement, property documents, or correspondence with the municipality. If the landlord cannot show you these documents, this is a red flag.
Check the address in municipal records
You can contact the City of Edmonton and ask about the address. They can confirm whether the property is registered as a rental property.
Consult with friends, but don't rely solely on them
If you are considering a property recommended by a friend, ask them as many questions as possible. Ask for the landlord's contact information, any problems they have had, and how responsive the management is. But don't consider a recommendation a guarantee of quality. You still need to do your own research.
Use verified platforms
If you use social media for your search, give preference to platforms that have some form of verification, such as RentFaster or liv.rent. Moderators on these platforms filter out obvious scams.
If you use Facebook, look for moderated groups
Facebook has groups moderated by people who manually review each listing before it is posted. For example, the group “Edmonton Apartments, Houses, Rooms For Rent” has a moderator, Lisa Ruffiange, who removes suspicious listings. These groups provide a certain level of protection.
Do not send money before viewing the property
This is a basic rule. If the landlord insists that you send money before you see the property, skip that ad. It's almost certainly a scam.
Conclusion
Searching for housing through friends and social networks has both advantages and risks. The best approach is to combine both methods. Ask your friends for recommendations, but also browse listings on trusted platforms. Always do your own research, always visit the property in person, and always check the documents before paying any money.
Remember: your home is one of the most important investments you will ever make. It's worth spending time on proper research to avoid costly mistakes. Don't rush, don't believe in “too good to be true” offers, and always trust your instincts. If something looks suspicious, it probably is.