new york apartments / housing for rent "by owner" - craigslist (2024)

FAQs

How to spot fake apartment ads on Craigslist? ›

What are the most common signs of a rental scam? Rental scams often have listings with prices that seem too good to be true. They might pressure you to make quick decisions, ask for rent or deposit without a signed lease, or avoid meeting in person.

Several trusted websites offer comprehensive listings to help you navigate this journey, including Zillow, Apartments.com, June Homes, uhomes, and StreetEasy.

Be familiar with Craigslist

Scammers often create lookalike sites to lure buyers into paying for items that don't exist. Always confirm the URL before finalizing a purchase. Craigslist does not back any transaction on its site. If you're offered purchase protection at a price, you're looking at a scam.

People post fake rental ads on Craigslist because they are scammers and are looking for easy money. Plus, some potential renters who may be looking for a new home may be a little desperate as well, because everyone needs a place to live in, of course.

Note: We cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of listings submitted to Apartments.com, but we do monitor the site to create a safe marketplace for all. But if you come across a suspicious listing, we want to know!

The report, by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, found just 1.4% of apartments in the city were available to rent in 2023, the lowest since 1968. Less than 1% of vacant apartments were available for less than $2,400 a month, while just 0.39% of apartments under $1,100 were vacant.

Yes, renting an apartment with a 500 or below credit score is possible. However, you might not get the apartment of your dreams until that score improves. Fortunately, you can still get a decent apartment if you provide strong proof of income, get a co-signer, or rent on a month-to-month basis.

What credit score do landlords use? ›

Most landlords use FICO credit scores to determine if an applicant qualifies for an apartment. The typical categories for those scores are: Exceptional: 800 to 850. Very Good: 740 to 799.

The bottom line is that the score you need varies by location, but you're likely to get approved in most places if your score is at least 650. If you fall below that, however, that doesn't mean you won't be able to rent, as is clear from the national average and examples of regional averages above.

Tracing a scammer demands persistence, leveraging online resources, and often legal assistance. Initiating with digital footprints like email addresses or phone numbers, employing reverse search tools, and reporting to authorities can unearth valuable leads.

It is important to remember that even if you post something on Craigslist anonymously, law enforcement may still be able to trace the content back to you.

Phishing scams on Craigslist are insidious attempts to steal personal information, such as passwords, account details, and financial data. Scammers often create fake listings or respond to your listings only to lead you toward providing sensitive information.

Craigslist Scam Alert

If you suspect that an item posted for sale on Craigslist may be part of a scam, please e-mail the details to abuse@craigslist.org. Be sure to include the URL (or 10-digit post ID number) in your message. Please use the “spam” flag link in the top right corner of a spam posting.