In South Side Chicago property management, the pressure’s on with vacancies. You have to move quickly to fill them to keep them profitable. So, when an opportunity comes along that promises to fill units fast, it’s tempting to jump at it, especially when the source seems reputable. Please. If you own rental property, learn from this horror story we lived through.
The Pitch That Sounded Perfect
Years ago, I had multiple vacancies in my portfolio. I was anxious to get them filled (see above). Then we got a call from someone claiming to represent Catholic Charities, a group we had worked with before in South Chicago.
“We just received new funding. We have 50 tenants who need housing immediately. Do you have any vacancies?”
They needed units filled within 72 hours. We moved fast, screened applicants, signed leases, and placed about half a dozen people in vacant units.
The Horror Story Twist
We were told rent checks would arrive in 45-60 days. That wasn’t an immediate red flag because delays with government funding often occur. But as time passed, other things didn’t add up.
Turns out, this wasn’t Catholic Charities.
A woman, posing as their representative, was charging shelter residents $500–$700 with the promise of finding them housing in under 48 hours. These tenants were real people in real need, but the connection was a complete scam.
What It Cost Us
Unraveling the mess took time, money, and a lot of coordination. We were left dealing with legal headaches, confused tenants, and a tough lesson on who to trust.
It was a reminder of why thorough screening by our amazing team and experienced property management matter more than ever.
The Takeaway: Trust, But Verify
Even when feeling the sense of urgency to fill a vacant rental, we take the time to confirm the source. In this case, we thought we were dealing with a trusted organization. We verify those claims now. We double-check funding and call your direct contacts. We’ve learned not to let urgency override our process.
In property management, protecting an investment means protecting the process.
At Marblestone, we’ve seen it all and we’ve learned how to protect properties from the unexpected, like fake Catholic Charities. Contact us today for reliable property management support.