Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Some sort of scam?
I'm a little concerned. We are selling (have sold) our house. Just after it went on the market, I had a print-out of our house detail put through the letterbox, with "please call David regarding the sale of your property" and a mobile number hand written on it. I thought it was a bit odd, and decided to ignore it.
Last night it came through again. I decided to phone the bloke (withled my number). He wanted to know which number we were (didn't tell him), and when I told him he should know he said he posts these to loaeds of houses. And then wanted to know where we're moving to. Again, didn't tell him.
I did think that he was either an estate agent taking a chance, or a slighly strange buyer. Now I am not so sure, and am a little freaked out. Is he looking to rob the place? Is he looking to squat if he finds the house empty? It's really freaking me out now.
have left a message with the SNT so hopefully they'll call me back.
Anyone come across this one before?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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There have been a few cases in Tottenham Hale ward of a scam involving squatters; families are moved into empty properties by gang(s) who provide fake leases. Our local Safer Neighbourhood Team sergeant - working with Council staff and the estate agent concerned - dealt effectively with a couple of these.
But my impression is that it's a larger problem. It is also on my 'To-Do List' - with the aim of gathering information and examples.
I don't want to be alarmist, and your print-out may be from an entirely legitimate business. But plainly, it's best to be cautious. As well as talking to the local SNT you might want think about contacting the one in the area you're moving to. And make sure that the Estate Agents are able to contact you quickly and easily. If you know and trust neighbours, tell them about your move and ask them to phone the Police if they see suspicious activity. I've spoken to residents living next to homes being let or done-up, who mentioned being approached by people who ask how long a house has been empty.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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One of the cases I mentioned is reported today (8 February) in the Haringey Independent. I'm particularly pleased that the police were able to secure this conviction. One of the nastier aspects of the fake lease scam is that it exploits laws which were intended to protect tenants from bad landlords.
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Permalink Reply by Anette on
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Interesting.
I've not heard a peep from SNT, have emailed and called them. bit disappointing, really.
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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How weird, and can imagine would make you nervous. What did he say when you asked why he had posted it through your letterbox?
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He asked for my house number and where I was moving to! Needless to say I didn't tell him.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hatch on
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Hi Anette, sounds like an estate agent to me. Give us a call if you want to, I have a couple of simple suggestions that will probably put your mind at rest straight away.
Just to add some prospective, our Harringay/Wood Green and Crouch End branches always have a good many decent buyers registered and there is currently a shortage of decent property to sell... So the chances of an agent trying to get your attention are probably higher than usual (if indeed it was an agent). That said, any approach that leaves a property owner worried, or in doubt, is extremely irresponsible. There is a correct way of doing this, designed to help an owner should they need it. There are also rules concerning this practice, so it should be approached with care and diligence.
Steve@Castles
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Hi Steve,
he did not sound like someone who was trying to get my business when I called him. And if he is an estate agent I am hoping a call from SNT might alert him to his dubious business methods. happy to send you his number if you want to have a crack..
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Permalink Reply by JulieB on
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Yes we got one of them, with that exact wording. I assumed it was just someone looking for a house in the area and wanted to go for a private sale. I don't think it's that expensive to get these printed. Ours went straight into recycling.
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Permalink Reply by Lou on
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When I put my flat on the market last year the exact same thing came through the letterbox. My partner rang and left a message, as we were curious as to what was going on. The person never contacted us again. We figured it was someone trying to buy privately but cheaply on the pretext that by selling privately the vendor would not have to pay estate agent fees - then concluded he was probably a slum landlord looking to buy up a flats.
Anyway I have not given it any thought since October until I read your post.
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