Quick Q - deposit before singing lease?!

sultryabyss

Hello,

Myself and two friends are students who found a house through our universities student accommodation site. We viewed the house and told the landlord we will take it. We have supplied all our details including guarantors, etc (but not bank acc information). He needed this information to get the tenancy agreement written up.

He has asked for us to pay our deposit (£1300 between us) ASAP, but this is before we have seen or signed the tenancy agreement. Is this normal practice?

The guy seems a nice fella but we don't know him from adam really, I'm just being cautious. Although he was found through the uni accommodation service I am 99% they don't vet any of the landlords or anything, it's just used as a service to make things easier for students.

timbstoke

It's not abnormal, but a good cautious but non-confrontational approach is to tell him you have the deposit ready and will make payment when you meet him to sign the tenancy agreement.

For rent payments, chances are he won't want your bank account information, but will instead give you his so that a standing order can be set up.

dimbo61

I would email a copy of the tenancy agreement, deposit info and guarantor forms to any tenants who want to rent one of our student properties. That way mum and dad can also read the tenancy agreement before filling any forms
Most good university accommodation offices will check out landlords before allowing them to advertise with them.
Please check Manchester Student Homes for accredited landlords

thelem

I'd be very wary of handing over that amount of money without seeing the tenancy agreement and therefore knowing what I'm letting myself in for. A holding deposit of, say, £100 per person would be more reasonable and gives the landlord some assurance that you won't walk away because you find somewhere a little nicer, while you don't lose too much if you do have to pull out for whatever reason. If you do pay the £1300 and there's a problem with the tenancy agreement, what happens? He'd probably keep your money. Don't forget to get a recepit for any cash handed over too.

Better_Days

Is the tenancy agreement to be particularly melodious?

Agree with the other replies. You need to see what is in the TA before you pay a deposit. Ask LL to email the draft agreement so you can check it (but when you come to sign the final version check for any changes)