Renting-sole or multiple applications. Which is usual?

chunkymunks

I am trying to rent a house and have filled in the application form, provided a guarantor, paid the requested fee etc.
As it has been over a week and a half I enquired how everything was going only to be told that they were still taking other applications and I wouldn't know for yet another 10 days or so. I wouldn't have paid £60 if I had known they were taking other applications and was not told this was going to happen. I have asked other local rental agents and they operate on a first come, first to be processed system.
My question is which one is usual and if it is the second one do I have any recourse for asking for my fees back and just trying elsewhere? Any help or advice gratefully received.

property.advert

You don't pay fees to secure a property. Some robbers like you to pay the fees to draw up the agreements, which are just printed out from a PC.

You don't fill in application forms as if it was a job and you don't pay fees. Go and get your money back.

Any fees payable would only come into being once you were proceeding with the rental, though bI accept some may request fees for credit checks, though I think they are the landlord's responsibility and not yours.

adg1

Soundslike the agent is holding out for a better value offer for their landlord.

You shouldn't have had the fee taken from you initially. I would think its a holding deposit, which would generally take the proeprty off the market with the 1 agent so they can reference you.

Personally, I would carry on through with this agent and property as you will lose your money if not and if you get it, great, if you don't make sure you get your money back and go elsewhere.

Also, inform trading standards as the only way a property is secure is with the full deposit, 1st months rent and two signed contracts.