Hi all,

I think the easy answer to the above is not do it.  Has anyone here signed a rental agreement without meeting face to face? 

I have a friend with a rental property (next door to her own home, so she'll know if it doesn't go well) and the connection to the prospective renters (couple with child who have owned their own home) is a relative of the property owner.  She is worried about the legality of the faxed/scanned rental agreement, possibility of picking the wrong tenant due to lack of face to face meeting (and recommendation of a relative), and her own inexperience.

My intended advice is that because her rental property is near the university in Edmonton, she will probably have a sufficient pool of applicants to choose from that she can meet face to face.  If she chooses to go ahead, set up a phone call so she can learn more about the prospective tenants and asked the questions that need to be asked, follow up references, etc.   Fax/scan rental agreement, insist on the first months rent immediately, and make it clear that it is non-returnable.  Insist security deposit to be paid in full before keys are given.

Can anyone add their tips/traps for this situation?

Thanks,