| How to Rent Second Life Land by Lizard Howl | | | | much less risk if you are renting from someone |
| There are all kinds of ways to get Second Life | | | | who owns the land, rather than through a third |
| land. In this article I will discuss some of the risks | | | | party. Think about it. If you pay the landowner |
| involved in renting land in Second Life, and what | | | | directly, there is only one layer between you and |
| you can do to minimize those risks. | | | | Linden Labs. As long as your landlord pays his tier, |
| Whether you decide to rent Mainland or rent | | | | chances are your land will still be there. If you rent |
| Estate land, be forewarned. When you rent, you | | | | from a third party, you are now three layers |
| are at the mercy of the landowner. Expect to | | | | away from Linden Labs. You are now depending |
| pay enough for the landowner to make a profit, | | | | on your landlord to pay his rent or tier, AND the |
| because if your landlady doesn't make a profit, | | | | landowner to pay Linden Labs. If something |
| how is she going to pay her tier to the Lindens? | | | | happens to your landlord, you will be at the mercy |
| And if she doesn't pay her tier, guess what | | | | of the landowner, who may not even have been |
| happens to your land? That's right – you will | | | | aware that your landlord was subleasing! At the |
| lose it. This is true, even if your own rent was | | | | very least, get referrals. Also, if you are renting |
| paid on time. I am not telling you this to scare | | | | from a third party, make an effort to contact the |
| you, but because it is important for you to | | | | landowner. If the landowner knows about the |
| understand. You could make your own rent | | | | subleasing, he may be more likely to work with |
| payments on time, and still end up losing your land. | | | | you if something happens to your landlord. |
| It isn't fair, but that is the risk you take when you | | | | You may prefer to do business in Lindens, but |
| rent. | | | | look for someone who accepts PayPal. Why? |
| There are some things you can do to make sure | | | | Because in order to accept payment from PayPal, |
| you minimize your risk of losing your money on | | | | your landlord will have to reveal their email |
| your Second Life land rental. The first thing to do | | | | address. Someone who is out to scam you or |
| is find out as much as you can about whom you | | | | steal your money isn't likely to reveal his or her |
| are paying rent to. Does he own the land himself, | | | | real life identity. |
| or is he renting from someone else? If it is Estate | | | | Finally, especially if you are new to renting, pay |
| land, are you dealing with the Estate Owner | | | | the least amount of tier up front that you can. If |
| directly, or through a third party? How long has | | | | your landlord wants you to pay a month or two |
| your landlord been in Second Life? How many | | | | in advance, just remember that once you have |
| tenants do they have? How much land do they | | | | paid, chances are you will never see that money |
| own? How long have they been renting Second | | | | again. I have seen it happen many times where |
| Life land? Do you know anyone who has done | | | | someone pays rent for a month or more, then |
| business with them? Do they have referrals you | | | | *poof* their landlord disappears with all of the |
| can talk to? How is tier paid, weekly, monthly, | | | | rent money. Sad but true. |
| daily? Do they accept PayPal? Do they accept | | | | I hope this article helped you understand the risks |
| payment in game currency (Linden dollars)? | | | | involved in renting Second Life land, and how you |
| Yes, it can be a bit of a hassle to do that much | | | | can minimize those risks. |
| research before renting land in Second Life, but it | | | | See you in world! |
| will be worth the effort in the long run. You have | | | | |