Paying 6 months rent up front

Humphrey10

I'm just about to start renting a new place, and I want to move in very quickly, but the estate agent has to do a credit check first. They said they thought they would be able to do it in time, but for this to happen I need to supply them with ID and contact details of my employer tomorrow.
The problem is, I don't know if I can get the copies of ID to them in time (I don't know if out scanner works and don't have time to go to library etc), and I don't know what contact details to give them for my employer - I don't know if HR have an external phone number, and my line manager is on annual leave so I can't ask him if I can give the estate agent his details! I've told them where I work, and given them proof I work there, but they still need contact details they said.

So I was thinking, can I not just give them the entire 6 months rent up front, plus the deposit, so they don't need my employers details etc? Is there any disadvantage to doing this (apart from losing interest on the money)? It's a proper estate/letting agent, with an office, not just one landlord, so I assume they won't run off with the money. I really want to be able to move in soon (Friday!).

tl;dr version: want to move in to rented place on fri, might not be able to get credit check done in time, any reason why not just give them all 6 months rent now instead?

paint

As long as you accept the risk that, if the landlord were to go bust, you might find yourself homeless and several months' rent down the toilet, then you could pay up. And negotiate a considerable discount with the landlord / letting agent for paying upfront.

Alternatively, get yourself set up in a cheap hotel or B&B for a few nights (and put any belongings in storage if need be), get the credit checks done, and just pay monthly.

Personally, I'd go with the latter (and have done in the past when I've had to move in a hurry!).

Good luck!