On March 4, 2025 Rently’s second annual SFR Security Symposium took place in Atlanta, GA, bringing together industry leaders, law enforcement officials, and technology experts to address the ongoing challenges of rental fraud, squatting, and property security. This year, the discussion highlighted new trends in rental scams, legislative changes, and innovative security solutions designed to protect both renters and property owners.
The Current Landscape of SFR Security
Rental fraud and property security challenges continue to evolve. While squatting remains a concern, recent legislative changes in states like Georgia and Florida have made it more difficult for unauthorized occupants to claim residency.
According to Rently data, vandalism accounts for 28% of reported security cases, while 16% of cases involve squatters. Additionally, scams involving fraudulent wiring of money remain a persistent issue, though at a lower rate of 2%.
PropertyShield has observed upwards trends in listings targeting the Hispanic demographic, as well as fraud detected on previously trusted platforms.
Speakers and attendees highlighted the importance of early detection and swift action to mitigate potential risks.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Security
Rently’s second annual security symposium opened with a comprehensive overview of the current state of SFR security presented by Luke Lind, Co-Founder of Property Shield, and Sahil Farooqi, Director of Business Operations at Rently.
Luke shared that 25% of their customers’ property listings had one or more duplicate fraudulent listings in 2024. To help SFR operators stay ahead of scammers stealing their listing details and posting fraudulent listings on sites like Facebook Marketplace and others, Property Shield is now available in the Rently Manager portal. This Fake Listing Monitoring tool scans listing websites for fraudulent listings and automatically removes them, providing proactive protection.
Upcoming advancements Property Shield plans to make include:
- Back-End Trust & Safety: Listings will undergo verification before going live to prevent fraudulent activity.
- Property-Level Incident Reporting: Anonymous reporting across SFR operators will offer valuable insights into security risks such as trespassing, vandalism, and appliance theft.
- Predictive Analytics: Data-driven insights will help predict potential security threats based on trends across all clients.
- Expanded Coverage: Continuous enhancements will ensure best-in-class monitoring and security measures.
Maximizing Security with Rently: New Features and Future Innovations
Aditya Mohan Kumar, Product Manager at Rently, showcased the foundational elements of Rently’s security features aimed at safeguarding against fraudulent activities. These include advanced renter verification processes, incorporating dual-side ID checks, and live facial recognition. Additionally, Rently has introduced customizable scam awareness questions for prospects during the tour process. If incorrect answers are provided, property managers can take action in two ways:
- Manual Intervention: Pause the renter’s journey and require manual approval.
- Automated Solution: Renters are asked to verify the contact details of the person they have been in contact with. If they do not match the property manager’s information, the system will alert prospects to potential fraud but still allow them to continue the touring process.
This is a great tool to utilize as a property manager as it aims to educate renters the risk of scams and things to look out for in the rental search process.
Aditya also previewed some of Rently’s upcoming security features:
- Advanced Pattern Matching: Uses historical renter data to detect anomalies and suspicious behavior in real time to proactively identify and block potential scams and social engineering attempts.
- Trespasser/Squatter Alerts:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Smart home devices track property usage patterns.
- Behavioral Analysis: Identifies unusual activity to detect potential squatters.
- Automated Alerts: Instantly notifies property managers of suspicious activity.
- Data-Driven Insights: Provides reports on identified security threats.
Building Partnerships with Law Enforcement
A highly anticipated session at the symposium featured experts from law enforcement discussing the impact of new squatter legislation. The Georgia Squatter Reform Act, passed in 2024, has redefined unauthorized occupancy as a criminal offense rather than a civil matter. However, implementation challenges remain due to inconsistencies in jurisdictional enforcement and interpretation of the law.
Chief Ronald Burgess of Fulton County emphasized that while the law is a step in the right direction, greater public awareness and interagency communication are necessary for effective enforcement. Officers in some areas still defer squatter cases to marshals, despite the new legal framework making it a criminal offense. The panel agreed that ongoing education and collaboration among agencies and property owners/operators are critical for the law to have its intended impact.
The Legal Landscape in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities
Legal experts at the symposium, including Jake Erdman, In-House Counsel, Rently, and Christine S. Tenley, Partner, Lewis Brisbois Law Firm & Chair of Corporate Landlord Group, stressed the importance of changing the language around squatting. The term “squatter” originates from archaic English law and inaccurately conveys a level of legal protection. Instead, referring to such individuals as “trespassers” helps reinforce the criminal nature of their actions.
Tenley highlighted that while 2024 was a significant year for anti-squatter legislation, challenges remain. For example, Texas attempted but failed to pass similar protections. Moving forward, advocacy for consistent state-level policies will be crucial.
The Renter Perspective: Anxiety and Distrust in the Market
The symposium also discussed how rising fraud cases have diminished renter confidence in the industry. According to recent Rently research:
- 39% of renters distrust online rental platforms.
- 27% of renters only somewhat trust these platforms.
- A mere 0.6% of renters completely trust online listings.
To combat this, renters are demanding stronger security measures:
- 73% want mandatory verification for all rental listings.
- 85% believe landlord identity verification would enhance trust.
- 70% prioritize secure payment processing.
- 66% value past tenant reviews.
- 65% prefer real-time property viewing.
Size Doesn’t Matter: Security Tactics for All
During the panel discussion “Size Doesn’t Matter: Security Tactics for All,” industry leaders shared insights on various security strategies tailored for different business sizes. Ashley Newman, Sr. Manager of Property Security for FirstKey Homes discussed how her team implemented a task force with former law enforcement and military personnel to secure vulnerable areas. Clint Sorenson, VP of Information Technology for Brandywine Homes highlighted the challenges of deploying private security teams to scattered properties and emphasized the importance of community relationships—such as nearby neighbors who can keep an eye on vacant homes. Nicole Iesha Torres, Sr. Property Manager for Open House shared that while third-party security firms can be useful, her team found greater cost-effectiveness in hiring in-house field inspectors.
The panel also explored preventative measures such as tamper-resistant door stickers and strategically placed no-trespassing signs that are difficult to remove, such as the roof of a home. Newman pointed out that trespassing tactics constantly shift, making it essential to stay ahead by leveraging data to forecast potential risks.
Sorenson emphasized the value of smart home technology, like Rently Smart Home, in enhancing security. Looking into 2025, panelists noted trends such as rising out-of-state identity theft and emerging fraud hotspots in cities like Dallas, San Antonio, and Orlando. In areas like Memphis, legal complexities add to the challenge, as local law enforcement often classifies trespassing as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense.
Conclusion: A Call for Industry Wide Collaboration
Rently’s second annual Security Symposium reinforced the industry’s shared commitment to combatting rental fraud, addressing security vulnerabilities, and restoring renter confidence. By leveraging technology, improving legal frameworks, and strengthening collaboration between property owners, law enforcement, and renters, we can continue to advance the fight against rental scams and property crime.
As we move forward, the focus must remain on proactive security measures, smarter verification processes, and ongoing education to safeguard the future of SFR properties. Rently remains dedicated to leading this charge, ensuring that property managers and renters alike have the tools and knowledge necessary to stay protected.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all our clients and partners for attending and making Rently’s second annual Security Symposium so impactful! Special thanks to our sponsors, Brock & Scott, PLLC, and Property Shield, for their support in advancing security solutions for the rental industry.
