The rental period is at its annual peak; however, with the pandemic, it is advisable to restrict visits to dwellings and take all the necessary precautions. Of course, you don’t want to rent a dwelling without knowing exactly what it looks like. Photos, for example, may not represent the actual condition of the dwelling or may be outdated.
So, if you have selected a listing that interests you, you can offer the landlord various alternatives, such as a video of the unit or a video conference. This will help you feel more comfortable with your choice.
Start by offering the landlord a phone appointment to find out more about the property, its surroundings and to get to know each other… Then, if possible, ask him/her to film the dwelling for rent and send you a video.
Prepare a list of questions to ask so you don’t forget anything. You should send your list of questions before the landlord films the apartment or before the videoconference.
If the landlord is on site, ask him or her to open closet doors, cupboards, etc. and to move around the apartment. You will then be able to better visualize the living space, the organization of the apartment, its storage space, balcony, or terrace, as well as possible inclusions such as appliances.
Here are some apps you can use and the links to access them:
- ZOOM
- GoToMeeting
- Hangouts (Please note that you need a Google account)
Create a Hangouts account
Hangouts Videoconference - Facetime* for Apple users (Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch)
* Facetime is used from an email address and/or a phone number. It is possible that you wish to remain confidential. Make sure you configure your privacy settings for both your communication tool and the application. You will be given several options. - Facebook Messenger* For Facebook users
* You must have a Facebook account and identify yourself from it. - Signal – Private Messenger Android/ App store
- Skype Android/ App store
- WhatsApp Android/ App store
- Snapchat Android/ App store
- Instagram Android/ App store
Once the visit is completed, and if you confirm your interest in renting the unit, your landlord will likely want to conduct a pre-rental screening. You will then need to gather all the information necessary to qualify.
Provide the information, surname, first name, full address, and date of birth (which the landlord will need in order to carry out a pre-rental screening).
Add this to your references: your current landlord or concierge (names and contact details). These may be requested in order to verify your payment habits and your behaviour as a tenant. The landlord may also ask for an employment confirmation.
Upon request, and in order to confirm your identity, you can show your ID during the videoconference. However, be aware that the landlord may ask to see an ID but cannot collect the information contained on the card. Therefore, the landlord cannot require you to send a scanned version of your ID.
Tell the landlord to use ProprioLocation so you can send your personal information digitally and securely. This way, you ensure that your landlord has all the information required and you will avoid the risk of error by manual data entry while protecting your personal information.
