Short term renting issues

Herbalus

I'm currently trying to find a London flat for an internship this summer. Sites like flatshare.co.uk etc. A lot of listings are students who are trying to rent out their rooms for the summer, and seem to think I should pay them a deposit and get it back from the landlord at the end of the tenancy. I have some questions:

1. I should check with them that subletting is allowed on their tenancy, yes? What could happen if subletting wasn't allowed and I rented it for three months anyway?
2. I assume that their DPS-protected deposit can only be returned to them, right? So I would have to get my deposit back from the person I gave it to? Which is not advisable, particularly if they are foreign and might be in another country?

Does anyone have any experience of short-term renting?

Guest101

My advice, honestly, pay them 1 months deposit, then 2 months rent, dont pay on month 3. Only do this if you are genuinely going to leave it in a good state (how you received it).

Your spot on about both points, the DPS will only ever go back to them and subletting can be illegal (for them)

Herbalus

One person replied and said subletting was allowed in their contract, and that the contract allows me to pay a deposit to the subletting tenant. In other words, I pay this subletting tenant the deposit and then get it back from the landlord at the end of the agreement. Am I right in thinking this is complete mumbo jumbo as the DPS are not going to take any notice of any clause in the contract that might allow this?

I've already walked away from this flat, but am curious to know. This person seemed pretty desperate for me to give her a deposit.

Guest101

Well they could be genuine, but you'll struggle. Tenants with agreements struggle to tget their money back from landlords, think you might even more so. The landlord may wih to offer you a 3 month tenancy, which would give you a DPS, but certainly check their tenancy agreement first.

If you do pay a deposit, like i said dont pay the last month's rent and do leave it in good condition. Then you havent lost out, and neither has the tenant.

Herbalus

The trouble with that is in this case the deposit is 6 weeks rent, so they'd know what was going on from week 4 of 12. Also, they want me to pay the deposit to the tenant who is leaving and subletting, but pay the rent to the landlord.

Guest101

Yes but you have no agreement with the landlord, so why would you pay him? That's not subletting, that's them taking 6 (6?!?!?! what's they're deposit, bet you its 4 weeks) rent and going thank you very much, you'll never hear from them again.

It's funny that you also have no legal right to be there and can be removed as a tresspasser.

Just protect yourself, it might go fine, or it might be a very costly mistake.

Herbalus

Well the deposit is £900, and the rent is just over £600 for each month. The subletter is a foreign student, so I doubt she knows that much about these things. I'm not pursuing it any further, just like the place offered by a south african lady with a "fashionable" Italian girl and a "cute" Spanish girl. She of course was looking forward to having a "delightful and responsible young man" in the house - she has no evidence that I am that at all!!

tim123456789

Herbalus wrote: »

One person replied and said subletting was allowed in their contract, and that the contract allows me to pay a deposit to the subletting tenant. In other words, I pay this subletting tenant the deposit and then get it back from the landlord at the end of the agreement. Am I right in thinking this is complete mumbo jumbo as the DPS are not going to take any notice of any clause in the contract that might allow this?

I've already walked away from this flat, but am curious to know. This person seemed pretty desperate for me to give her a deposit.

Whilst this might be "legal" the problem with it is that it will make you responsible for any delapidations caused by the head tenant during the period of occupation up until the date you move in.

It is entirely unreasonable for him to expect you to take on this liability.

This has to be a buyer's maket - tell him that this expectaion is a deal breaker and walk away if he wont compromise.

tim