Do I have to pay now?

bazzaboo

Hi there, I'm renting a new property from 1.9.10 and the condition was that I pay 6mths upfront. All the references have gone thru and I just received a letter from the LA that subject to contract and landlord approving references my tenancy will start on 1.9.10 and to make an appointment to sign the contract on 1.9. which is fine. But then it says that now they need payment. I don't want to pay them till the day I sign the contract and got the keys as it's about 5k which is a lot of money and I do not want to part with it until I know for sure that I can move. So can I tell them I'm not going to pay till I sign the contract?
Thanks

Gwhiz

bazzaboo wrote: »

Hi there, I'm renting a new property from 1.9.10 and the condition was that I pay 6mths upfront. All the references have gone thru and I just received a letter from the LA that subject to contract and landlord approving references my tenancy will start on 1.9.10 and to make an appointment to sign the contract on 1.9. which is fine. But then it says that now they need payment. I don't want to pay them till the day I sign the contract and got the keys as it's about 5k which is a lot of money and I do not want to part with it until I know for sure that I can move. So can I tell them I'm not going to pay till I sign the contract?
Thanks

Sounds ridiculous!

bazzaboo

what about it sounds ridiculous?Can you clarify?

csnann

I think its the idea that you would pay £5k two months before you actually sign the contract or move in. I certainly wouldn't! What happens to your money if the house burns down or the landlord dies/runs off with your money?

Cannon_Fodder

Would need to pay some sort of holding fee/deposit, otherwise they would be worried about a void period. The whole 6 months so far in advance does sound excessive.

bazzaboo

Thats why I don't want to pay 2 months in advance. I did pay a holding deposit. I jut wanted to know if they can enforce it.

G_M

bazzaboo wrote: »

Thats why I don't want to pay 2 months in advance. I did pay a holding deposit. I jut wanted to know if they can enforce it.

How much was the holding deposit? What exactly does the agreement relating to the holding deposit say?

I certainly would not pay the full rent (and/or security deposit) without a contract signed. And I would not sign the contract till moving in.

However it is reasonable for the LL to want a modest amount up front in return for holding the property for you. This protects him against you changing your mind and leaving him with an empty property at the last minute. This should be on the clear (written) understanding that it is refundable if the LL does not ultimately sign the AST but not if YOUY do not sign. If the AST goes ahead as planned, the holding deposit should be refundable or go towards the rent.

bazzaboo

I paid the LA 110 pounds as a reference fee and holding deposit. I have rung them and once the LL approves they will call me to arrange an appointment to sign the ast on the 1.9. I certainly won't give them anymore money beforehand. All I have written down are the fees and rent I still have to pay. When I went in to give them my details for referencing he said that money will be due on the 1.9.10 but I haven't got this in writing.

clutton_2

there is no reason why you cannot sign an agreement in advance of the starting date of the tenancy as far as i know - i have done this in the past