Mortgage

Woman arrested after renting out abandoned house on Craigslist

Family nearly paid $1,800 in cash for first month's rent

Michelle Copeland, 39, was arrested after renting out a vacant home to a family in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, leaving the family without a home, an article in 9 News Denver reported.

According to the article, Francie Neilsen, her two children and mother moved into the home after searching for a place on Craigslist

"We've been looking for a house for quite some time," Neilsen said, "We've been off-and-on homeless for over 3 years."

Neilsen thought she found an offer that was too good to be true: A four-bedroom home for around $1,800. She met the advertiser in person and paid nearly all of first month's rent in cash. In return, she was handed two keys and a lease.

Turns out it was. The article explained that not even one day after moving in, Wheat Ridge Police showed up to the home that had been abandoned for years because neighbors called about a possible break in.

Most Popular Articles

Latest Articles

Opinion: What is the public actually getting for $7.3B in housing subsidies? 

The Federal Home Loan banks receive billions annually in subsidies, but are skirting their responsibility to support our nation’s housing troubles, argues Sharon Cornelissen, Director of Housing at the Consumer Federation of America.

3d rendering of a row of luxury townhouses along a street

Log In

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Please