6780 Second Line West – Rental Scam

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 2nd Line W

6790 2nd Line W

 

Here’s how the scam was set up:
Getty, a tenant in the home owned by Conklin at the time, offered rooms for rent at 6780 Second Line West, at Conklin’s suggestion and approval. A tenancy agreement was arranged and signed for the following month, and the prospective tenant paid a full month’s deposit to Getty.

But when the tenant arrived to begin moving into the home on the agreed date, Conklin (the homeowner) claimed that Getty had deserted the property a week earlier, with rent unpaid. In a story repeated to Peel Police, Conklin reported that there were no longer any rooms for rent, the tenant’s money had been stolen by Getty, and was unlikely to be returned. Conklin claimed no knowledge of Getty’s whereabouts, and suggested that the tenant look for alternative living arrangements elsewhere.

Once that had been done, Getty apparently returned to the home later that evening, and Conklin confirmed that the rental money had been forwarded to him. As the prospective tenant had already secured alternative living arrangements on short notice, he requested that his rental deposit be refunded due to breach of their rental contract. The pair refused any refunds; in fact, Getty challenged the tenant to “take me to court if don’t like it, I’m not returning your money.”

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.

Tags: 6780 second line west, 6790 second line west, chris conklin, james getty, mavis & 401, rental scam