Rental Scam at Mavis & 401 Known to Police

Peel Police have learned of a rental scam operation in the Mavis & 401 area.

Chris Conklin, of 6790 Second Line West, and James Getty, of 6780 Second Line West, are under investigation after a series of complaints from tenants. The most recent complaint involved the theft of deposit money by a prospective tenant at 6780 Second Line West, near Mavis Road and 401 in Mississauga.

6780 Second Line West

Getty, a tenant in the home owned by Conklin, offered rooms for rent at 6780 Second Line West, apparently at Conklin's suggestion. A tenancy agreement was arranged and signed for the following month, and the prospective tenant paid a full month's deposit to Getty.

6790 Second Line West

Here's how the scam was set up:
The pair used a variation of the "bait and switch" technique, taking advantage of a 'loophole' in the Landlord and Tenant Act for sublets. Getty arranged for room rentals in the property owned by Conklin, at the homeowner's suggestion and approval. When a move-in date was agreed and signed for, a "first month's rental deposit" was demanded to secure the agreement.

However, when the tenant showed up to move in on the agreed date, he was told by Conklin (the homeowner) that Getty had deserted the property with unpaid rent due, there were no rooms for rent anymore, and the tenant should seek another living arrangement elsewhere. When that was completed, Getty returned to the property a day later, and the pair refused to refund the tenant's deposit. In fact, Getty challenged the tenant to "take me to court if you don't like it, I'm not giving you your money back. And if you set foot on this property again, I'll call the cops."

It is believed that Getty and Conklin were working together on this "sublet rental scam" known to Police.

PLEASE NOTE:
Beware that the Residential Tenancies Act will not protect people who sublet. If you are not on the lease and share a room in someone's apartment, they can simply restrict your ability to enter the premises. Once they've blocked you out, your only remedy for property and monies lost and personal damage is civil court. Essentially a person who offers to sublet could earn a living by taking your money, kicking you out, and finding new tenants to do it all over again.