How to do Property Verification Before Booking Without Traveling
You found a PG listing online. The photos look clean. The rent is reasonable. The location seems right. The owner is responsive on WhatsApp and willing to hold the room if you pay a small advance today. It sounds perfect. Until you arrive and realise the photos were taken four years ago, the bathroom is shared with twelve people, the neighbourhood is nothing like what was
described, and the owner is no longer picking up calls. If you want to avoid this read below.
Options for
Property Verification
MyBuddy connects you with local Buddies who physically visit properties and share detailed, real-time information with you before you make any payment.
1: Start With the Listing Itself
- Are all areas of the property shown — bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, common areas?
- Do the photos look professionally shot or candid and recent?
- Cross-check the address on Google Maps — does the building actually appear there?
- Check the street view to get a sense of the surrounding area
- Are facilities listed specifically or described in vague terms like ‘all amenities’?
- Is the rent inclusive or exclusive of electricity, water, and maintenance?
- What is the notice period and deposit refund policy?
- Are there any restrictions mentioned — on guests, cooking, timing?
2: Ask the Right Questions Before Visiting
A video call or detailed conversation with the owner or caretaker can reveal a lot. Here are questions worth asking directly:
- How old is the property and when was it last renovated?
- How many tenants currently live there and what is the occupancy?
- Is water available 24 hours or at fixed timings?
- What is the power backup situation during outages?
- Who handles maintenance issues and how quickly are they resolved?
- Are there any ongoing disputes or pending repairs?
- Can you speak to a current tenant for reference?
- What exactly is included in the rent and what is charged separately?
3: Request a Live Video Tour
A live video call walk-through of the property is significantly more reliable than photos. It is harder to hide problems in real time.
During the video tour, ask the person to:
- Walk through every room, not just the main bedroom
- Show the bathroom and kitchen in detail
- Open windows to show the view and ventilation
- Walk outside to show the building entrance, parking, and immediate surroundings
- Show the water supply — turn on taps, check pressure
- Show the main door lock, balcony if any, and any shared spaces
4: Get a Physical Inspection Done
If you cannot visit the property yourself, the next best option is sending someone who can.
A physical inspection gives you information that no photo or video can fully capture:
- The actual smell and cleanliness of the space
- The real noise levels from traffic, neighbours, or construction nearby
- The condition of fixtures, plumbing, and electrical points up close
- How the building actually looks from the outside and inside the complex
- The neighbourhood feel — safety, cleanliness, access to shops and transport
If you have a friend or family member in that city, this is a good task to ask them for. If not, a property verification service like MyBuddy can send a representative to visit on your behalf.
How MyBuddy Helps With Property Verification
MyBuddy connects you with local Buddies who physically visit properties and share detailed, real-time information with you before you make any payment.
When you book a property verification through MyBuddy, a Buddy visits the property and shares:
- Live photos and videos of the actual current condition
- A walk-through of all rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and common areas
- The street view and surrounding neighbourhood
- Observations on maintenance, cleanliness, and security
- General ambiance and any visible issues worth noting
You get a real picture of what you are considering — not a curated set of listing photos. This matters especially when you are making an advance payment before visiting.
MyBuddy has helped students verify PGs and hostels in cities they were moving to for college, professionals check rental flats before relocation, and families compare multiple properties without traveling multiple times. The decision becomes much easier when you have honest, ground-level information.
What to Do After Verification
Once you have verified the property and decided to proceed, a few more steps will protect you:
- Get all terms in writing before paying any advance
- Ensure the rental agreement clearly mentions the deposit amount and refund conditions
- Take date-stamped photos of the property condition when you move in
- Clarify who the point of contact is for maintenance and emergencies
- Confirm that the person you are dealing with is actually authorised to rent the property
A verified property is a good starting point. A clear agreement makes the entire rental experience more predictable and protects both sides.
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