Renting A Flat For Just Four Weeks.

samsmoot

ari11 wrote: »

+1 for Talc on Airbnb. You can get studios or one bedders. And they have locations all over the UK (and all over the world)

Airbnb is very good. You can rent an entire house or flat right down to space on someone's sofa. Prices can be pretty good for some locations and you can feel right at home straight away as many places are or were people's homes, with all of the usual facilities plus books, music and food and so on.

G_M

jamie11 wrote: »

Bargepole (long) for the use of.

Agreed.

DO NOT TOUCH THIS IDEA WITH A BARGEPOLE.

Before you dismiss ideas, check them!

* travellodge and other cheap hotels. They will significantly reduce their rates if you book a week, better still a month.

* services apartments - use google and hotel booking sites

* B&Bs - see travellodge above

* houseshares. There are loads. Just avoid dodgy ones like this

ari11

If you believe these are the worst things that could happen, it would be enough to scare me off.

StudentScrimper wrote: »

I've thought about what's the worst that could happen. He could run off with all my money, or if I do decide to take recourse or something he could end up at my work place!

1. If he ran off with all your money, do you really want to be in a new and different cities with no contacts or friends trying to find a bed to sleep in whilst going to your job?

2. If he ends up at your workplace (although I think this is unlikely), this could be enough to detract from what would be good work from you. It will be a distraction for you as well and you may not be able to do your best. Not sure if you're looking for good work experience, a good reference or a future job offer out of this 4 week stint but this could be in jeopardy if a maniac turns up at your workplace stalking you

Cat2011

I rent several rooms in my house and I wouldn't expect anything less than a full months rent in advance. If you give him cash in exchange for the keys then I don't see a problem?

Yes Gumtree is notorious for scammers, but if you meet with him, he signs an agreement in writing and gives you a key, then you give him money, it would all seem pretty above board?

But do check out the other options as mentioned above. A shared house is much cheaper than a flat (google spareroom and easyroomate) and hotel rooms are easily haggled for longterm stays.

gld73

Paying a month upfront is normal - as cat2011 says, if you get the keys at the time, and you've met him at (i.e. in) the place, I don't know what else you expect? I rented a room out in my previous house and was hardly ever there due to working away - I felt I was taking the bigger risk, leaving my house and belongings with a person who'd only paid 1 month's rent upfront!