Safeguarding Your Pre-Let Rental Payments
Secure your advance rental payments with Secureprop Escrow. In many cases of online property fraud, renters lose funds transferred to landlords or agents before moving in. We mitigate this risk by securely holding your money in escrow, only releasing the funds after your move-in date.
With Secureprop Escrow, you get a reliable protection mechanism for your funds at a fee of 3.5% of the held amount, inclusive of VAT.
Ready to secure your rental journey? Contact us to find the service that best fits your needs.
Contact UsHow we protect renters
Landlord Verification
We verify the identities of both landlords and renters. Our system identifies and flags false or modified IDs.
Secureprop verifyRent Escrow Accounts
We safeguard your rental payments in escrow, releasing them to the landlord only post-move-in.
secureprop escrowProperty Risk Assessment
We assess every detail of your rental offer to identify risks and provide actionable security advice.
secureprop RiskWHY ESCROW MATTERS?
In the online rental market, pre-let rental funds are often targeted in scams. By securely holding funds in escrow, renters are safeguarded against potential fraud, and fraudulent landlords are deterred from executing scams.
An Garda Síochana recommends holding funds in escrow as a fraud prevention measure, advising to release funds only when you are certain of a transaction’s legitimacy. This practice is a critical safeguard in protecting against rental scams.
At Secureprop Escrow, funds are released only three days after the renter has moved into the property. This delay is a robust fraud prevention measure, effectively preventing scammers from misappropriating your deposit or pre-let funds.
Furthermore, Secureprop Escrow is particularly beneficial for international renters. It enhances their ability to secure properties remotely by providing a secure method to pay for properties they haven’t physically viewed. This service not only increases their chances of securing a rental but also adds an extra layer of security to their transactions.
Transact on any platform
Our service simplifies secure renting: when you receive a rental offer, contact Secureprop before making any payment. We’re dedicated to preemptive fraud prevention and provide comprehensive support, including scam alerts and awareness across all platforms. Whether it’s a social media listing or a traditional rental site, we’re here to safeguard your transactions.
Our Tools and Services Protect Renters
Use on any platform including social media
Check any rental property offer
Pre-Rental Payment Protection
Confirm your Landlord’s Identity
Transact with Peace of Mind
Alerts on Rental Scams
View all servicesHow Secureprop Escrow Works
1. Finding your Rental
When you find a rental property and want to verify its authenticity, contact Secureprop at info@secureprop.com before finalising the agreement or making any payments. This proactive step ensures you move forward with confidence.
2. Escrow Agreement
Upon initiating the escrow service, Secureprop actively engages with both the renter and the landlord toprovide essential information and kick-start the process. We prepare the escrow agreement and facilitate the process of obtaining online signatures from all involved parties. During this stage, we’re also available to address any queries your landlord might have, ensuring complete transparency and understanding.
Once the agreement is signed, both parties receive their respective copies, along with clear instructions for the payment process. This step is pivotal in establishing a mutual understanding and a secure framework for the transaction.
3. Release of Funds
In this final step, the renter securely transfers the agreed amount to Secureprop. This amount can include any combination of a holding fee, security deposit, and advance rental payment.
Meanwhile, the landlord is required to provide their bank details to Secureprop, ensuring a smooth transaction process. Upon receiving the payment from the renter, we promptly notify the landlord. The funds are then securely transferred to the landlord’s account within seven business days following the renter’s move-in date, completing the escrow process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Secureprop.com exist?
Secureprop.com was established to tackle the growing challenge of online property rental scams. Recognising that these scams often go undetected by renters until it’s too late and seeing the low rates of fraud prosecution, our goal is to offer preventive solutions. Our comprehensive suite of security tools and services is designed to protect both renters and landlords from falling victim to these scams. Beyond protection, we also focus on raising awareness and providing timely alerts through our scam reporting feature and educational articles.
How does Secureprop secure the rental process for renters?
Secureprop enhances the safety of the rental process with affordable and effective security tools and services. With ‘Secureprop Verify,’ we authenticate both the landlord’s identity and the property address, adding a layer of trust to your rental agreement. ‘Secureprop Escrow’ safeguards your pre-let rent payments, ensuring funds are securely held until you move in. Additionally, for further peace of mind, we provide comprehensive risk assessments tailored to your specific rental situation.
Does Secureprop make it easier to find accommodation?
Secureprop streamlines the accommodation search process, especially in scenarios where renters hesitate to accept legitimate offers due to uncertainty about their authenticity. Our tools provide the necessary safeguards, allowing renters to confidently proceed with rental agreements. This is particularly beneficial for international renters, who often face the dilemma of committing to a rental without seeing the property in person. With Secureprop, they can securely move forward with such rentals, mitigating the practical challenges posed by a tight housing market.
Which Secureprop Service should I use?
Choosing the right Secureprop service or tool depends on your specific rental situation. If you’re uncertain about how to best secure your rental process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is always ready to provide guidance and recommend the most suitable solutions for your needs, whether it’s identity verification, rent escrow, or risk assessment. We’re here to ensure your rental experience is safe and stress-free.
What is a Rental Scam Risk Assessment?
A Secureprop risk assessment is a thorough evaluation of a rental proposition’s potential risks, leveraging our extensive experience in the rental market. By combining manual review with technological tools, we analyze the specific circumstances and details of your rental offer. Following this analysis, we provide renters with a detailed set of recommendations, clearly outlining our risk determination. This process is designed to help renters make informed and secure decisions in their rental journey.
What is Secureprop Verify?
Secureprop Verify is a comprehensive identity verification service. Its primary aim is to confirm the authenticity of landlords and renters, establishing trust in their identities. This service is particularly crucial as most online rental scams revolve around the use of fake or stolen identities. By using Secureprop Verify, both renters and landlords can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to such fraudulent activities.
How does Secureprop verify prevent scams?
At Secureprop, we focus on authenticating the identity of the landlord or agent, a crucial step since a large portion of online rental scams involve fictitious landlords or non-existent properties. Our verification process rigorously checks and confirms the legitimacy of the landlords, effectively reducing the chances for fraudsters to use fake or stolen identities. This thorough verification of landlords and their properties is key to safeguarding renters against deceptive practices and ensuring the integrity of the rental transaction.
How much does this verification service cost and who pays?
The cost for our verification service is €19.99 / £17.99, VAT included. To begin the process, renters can simply email us at info@securepop.com. Generally, it is the renter who initiates and pays for the service. For landlords, there is no charge; the service is provided free of cost. This approach ensures that the verification process is accessible and convenient for both parties, with the primary goal of establishing a secure and trustworthy rental environment.
How can renters request the Secureprop verfication service?
Initiating the Secureprop verification process is easy. As a renter, all you need to do is email us at info@secureprop.com, ideally as soon as you’ve decided to start the verification process. In your email, it’s helpful to include basic details about the rental property and any specific concerns or needs you might have. Our team will promptly respond with the next steps and guide you through the verification process to ensure a secure rental experience.
Does the renter notify the landlord about the verification request?
As a best practice, we recommend that renters inform their prospective landlords about their intention to use Secureprop’s verification process. This communication is key to establishing transparency and obtaining the landlord’s consent. Once the landlord agrees, renters can either introduce us to their landlord via email or provide us with the landlord’s name, email, and property address. This approach facilitates a smooth initiation of the verification process and ensures all parties are aligned.
What if my landlord does not wish to use Secureprop Verify or Secureprop Escrow?
While most landlords appreciate the added security that comes with our verification and escrow services, we understand that some may prefer not to participate. In such cases, renters still have options for ensuring their security. We encourage you to contact Secureprop for a property risk assessment, a service that can be carried out independently of landlord involvement. This assessment offers valuable insights and protection, helping you make informed decisions about your rental choice.
Does Secureprop also verify the renter as part of the process?
Yes, Secureprop will also verify the renter’s identification and proof of address.
What does the verification service involve?
Our verification service employs cutting-edge biometric facial recognition software to authenticate the identities of both landlords and renters. In addition to this advanced technology, we conduct a manual review of the proof of address for both parties to ensure thorough verification. Once this process is complete, we issue a confirmation to both the renter and the landlord, providing assurance that the verification has been successfully performed. This comprehensive approach ensures the highest level of accuracy and security in our verification process.
How can I pay for this service?
Our payment process is facilitated by Stripe, a secure and trusted online payment platform. Once you decide to proceed with our service, you’ll receive a payment link via email. Through this link, you can easily make your payment online using a card or choose from other available payment methods. This system ensures a smooth, secure, and convenient transaction for you.
Can Secureprop’s security tools be used on any platform?
Absolutely, Secureprop’s suite of security tools is designed for universal applicability. Whether you find your rental property on a traditional real estate platform, through social media, or via classified ads, our tools are fully equipped to provide the necessary security measures. This flexibility ensures that no matter where you come across a rental opportunity, Secureprop is there to safeguard the transaction.
When should a renter contact Secureprop?
We advise renters to reach out to us at the earliest stage — as soon as you’ve found or been offered a potential rental property. It’s crucial to contact us before any pre-let payments, such as deposits, holding fees, or advance rent, are made. Engaging Secureprop early in the process allows us to secure and safeguard your transaction before any financial exchange with the landlord occurs, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
Who can see the information that a landlord or renter shares with Secureprop?
At Secureprop, we prioritise the confidentiality and security of all data shared with us. All information, including identification and proof of address, is securely encrypted to ensure its protection. In compliance with GDPR and our commitment to privacy, access to this sensitive personal information is strictly controlled and limited. Additionally, to further safeguard your privacy, we ensure that all sensitive data is securely destroyed after a 90-day retention period. You can trust that your information is handled with the utmost care and respect for your privacy.
Do renters still have to see the property before proceeding?
While it is generally recommended for safety reasons that renters view a property before proceeding, we understand this isn’t always feasible, especially for international renters. Recognising this practical challenge, Secureprop offers tools that empower renters to proceed with confidence, even if they haven’t physically seen the property. Our verification and security services are designed to ensure the legitimacy and safety of the rental process, bridging the gap for those unable to visit the property in person.
What is Secureprop Escrow?
Secureprop Escrow is a protective service designed for renters who need to make advance rent or deposit payments before their move-in date. It addresses a common issue in the online rental market — the theft of pre-let rental payments, a typical aspect of many rental scams. By using Secureprop Escrow, renters’ funds are securely held and only released to the landlord under the agreed-upon conditions, thereby safeguarding against potential fraud.
Does Secureprop share any landlord information with the student?
No, we maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information shared with Secureprop. It is uploaded to a highly secure, encrypted platform, ensuring maximum data protection. Our process involves notifying the student only about the successful verification of the landlord’s identity and address. We do not share any specific documentation or detailed information with the student. In adherence to GDPR guidelines, all data is securely and automatically deleted after a 90-day retention period, further underlining our commitment to privacy and data security.
Can I learn more about the latest property scams and how to avoid them?
Absolutely. One of our key objectives is to educate and raise awareness about the latest property scams and effective prevention strategies. Our blog is regularly updated with insightful articles covering a range of security-related topics, including detailed analyses of recent scams. We encourage you to explore these resources for valuable information. Should you have specific queries or need further details, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@secureprop.com. We’re here to assist you in staying informed and protected.
Can I report a confirmed or suspected scam?
Absolutely, reporting scams plays a crucial role in prevention and raising awareness within the community. If you have encountered or suspect a scam, please contact us confidentially at info@secureprop.com. Your report can significantly contribute to protecting others. For more information about how scam reporting works and its importance, you can find detailed insights here. Your vigilance and participation are invaluable in our collective effort to combat rental fraud.
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