I am seeing for rent ads in my area on Zillow citing undisclosed location in lieu of address. Any ideas on pros and cons of doing this, how this is done on Zillow and why this would be done by landlord? Also unrelated some landlords are listing only their first name in ads, why? good idea or bad. Thanks in advance.

Also, thieves would read ads to know what houses were empty-- and then steal copper, appliances, light fixtures, or whatever else. So people would avoid posting the specific addresses to avoid that attention.

First name only is probably a privacy issue. If you're in a small market, first/last is probably not a big deal, because everyone knows everyone, what you drive, where you live, what your yard flowers look like, how well you take care of them, who your kids are, where you work, where your spouse works... :P If you're in a more urban area, you're less likely to even know what your neighbors look like, let alone their names. :) And so with that degree of anonymity, and with privacy actually being an option, landlords don't want to be tracked down so that prospects know where THEY live, or where THEY work.

As others already mentioned, scammers and thieves.

Scammers can copy the ad and send people to the address to look at the place, claiming they will send the key when a lease is signed. These ads used to start with, ' I moved out of the country, renting my house out.' Thus, explaining why landlord isn't there to show the place. Of course, the keys wouldn't ever arrive.

Thieves and squatters love a vacant house. Especially if it is advertised, as they can just claim they were taking a look before renting. Some areas of the country have a severe problem with these types of scams, thievery, others not so much at all.

Absolutely, DJ, and Jonny!

I've only ever advertised on Craigslist, and my ad would say something like, 2/1 near 51st St and Silver Spring.

Anna,

Name: company name only

Address: depends on your local crime activity and squatter laws. My boring Midwest area has little crime.

I purposely add the address because I want people to go drive-by. My ad even says we leave some lights on so you can look in through the windows if the house is vacant.

I don’t want to have to respond to all those people who say where is it.

I take the approach of giving them lots of information and lots of photos so I don’t have to spend my time talking about the house.

Today’s consumers expect full information online.

We take the time to make sure the house is secure. We use deadbolts on every door and make sure all windows are locked.

Too quick...

Ever since we started putting our website tastefully across the picture and tape our flyer to the inside of the window facing out, and our sign in the yard, we have not known of any scams.

While prospects are waiting for a landlord to call them back with the address etc. I have already rented my house because they know all about it.

Again, it depends on your local crime.

Thinking...

I think the scamming issue is more of a BUYER BEWARE.

The few scammers that highjacked my ad when internet advertising started were taking money without the renter ever touring the home.

One had a leases with my name on it, met the person at the library, signed, took their deposit money, and promised keys once the "painting" was done. The person never completed an app or saw the inside of the home.

I don't think leaving the address off the ad will stop scammers.

They can drive around and find the house OR find a house with similar appearance and use that address. Not hard.

They can look up your name and find property records with the address. Not hard.

They can make up their own address numbers.

We can slow them down but it's really about prospects being scammed, not LLs.

"Their will ALWAYS be counterfeits when money is to be made." -Rick, Pawn Stars

BRAD