Craigslist Apartment Horror Stories: How can one avoid such nightmares?

Avoid it completely. Don't engage in any sex - related activities through Craigslist as it's a breeding ground for potential horror stories.

Don't put your real phone number on Craigslist. Use a disposable or virtual phone number instead. This way, if there are any problems, you can just get rid of that number.

Do your research. If it's an apartment rental, check reviews of the building or the landlord. If it's a product, research the market value. For job offers, look up the company online. I knew someone who almost got scammed for a car on Craigslist. But because he researched the fair price and the seller's history, he realized it was a bad deal and walked away.

First, always do your research. If it's a job offer, look up the company online. If it's a rental, check the address and see if there are any complaints about it. For example, if it's a property management company, look for reviews from other tenants. Second, never meet alone. Bring a friend or family member with you. This can act as a deterrent to any potential bad actors.

Well, start by asking for references from the landlord. If they are hesitant to provide them, that's a bad sign. Then, during the viewing, test all the facilities like the lights, faucets, and the stove. You don't want to move in and find out things don't work. Also, make sure you understand the rent payment process clearly. Is there a grace period? How do they accept payments? And don't forget to check the neighborhood safety. You can look at local crime rates. If you follow these steps, you'll be less likely to encounter a rental horror story.

To avoid Craigslist horror stories, always be cautious when sharing personal information. For job listings, research the company first. Don't give out bank details until you're sure it's a legitimate offer. When buying or selling items, ask for detailed pictures and descriptions. And meet in a public place, preferably during the day. For housing, visit the place more than once and bring someone with you if possible.

Firstly, be cautious about meeting in isolated places. Always choose a public, well - lit and populated area for any Craigslist - related meetings, like a coffee shop or a mall. This can reduce the risk of getting into a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.

Firstly, always meet in a public place. This way, there are other people around if something goes wrong. For example, a coffee shop or a busy mall. Don't go to someone's private residence right away.

One should do some basic research on the person if possible. Maybe try to find some common connections or check if they have a normal online presence. When communicating before the meeting, look for signs of aggression or inappropriate behavior in their messages. And during the encounter, keep your phone charged and with you at all times so you can call for help if needed.

A common Craigslist apartment horror story is the presence of mold. A tenant might move in and start noticing black mold growing in the corners of the rooms. This can be a serious health hazard. Another instance could be that the lease terms were misrepresented. The tenant thought they were signing a year - long lease with an option to renew, but it turned out to be a month - to - month lease with a huge rent increase after the first month. There have also been stories of people being scammed out of their deposit. They moved out leaving the apartment in good condition, but the landlord refused to return the deposit, claiming false damages.