Problem during renting a property in London

expatsam

We moved to London few weeks back with family with 2 kids. My employer promised to give 4 week accommodation.

We shortlisted a property end of feb and paid holding deposit. But problem rose, when we are not able to pay the rest of the deposit yesterday (15/03/2014).

For various reasons my bank account is delayed and was opened on 14/03/2014. Funds deposited by my employer immediately.

As this is a new bank account we have not yet received
1. Telebanking pin or password.
2. Debit card
3. Online banking auth code

To make things worse, I have opened a Jersey bank account so the local bank won’t help take a banker’s draft. So I tried to send the funds through CHAPS Payment. The payment should ideally reach them on Monday. I am still nervous if the funds did not go through on Monday, I will be in a big problem.

So, I talked to LL about this and asked for time till Wednesday to send the funds, but LL won’t give us time no more than Monday afternoon and threatened to rent to someone else.

I don’t have the Luxury of time to look for another property because we have to leave company provided accommodation next week end.

What are my options? Should I fight to LL for more time?

Please need help.

eddddy

expatsam wrote: »

What are my options? Should I fight to LL for more time?

hi expatsam

I don't think you should approach this as a "fight" with the LL. It sounds like you are the one who might break the agreement, so it may be better to be apologetic.

The LL may be concerned that if you have problems paying the deposit on time, you may have problems paying the rent on time as well. You need to try to reassure the LL.

(Bear in mind that, even though your excuse is genuine, the LL may have heard many excuses in the past from tenants who are late in paying, and may be a little cynical.)

ognum

This does seem to be a combination of your issues rather than the landlords, I agree with the poster above, try to be apologetic, maybe ask your company for a cash advance on your wages or take cash from a credit card.

It will take the LL time to find a new tenant and start everything again but if he feels you are going to be a difficult tenant then he might consider it worth it.

Talk with the LL first thing on Monday morning and ask how this can be resolved if you really want the house. It is you who needs to do the giving not the LL.

Hope thinks work out!

Did you open the jersey bank account to avoid tax? Otherwise it's a strange place to have your current account?

expatsam

I absolutely agree being apologetic, it my mistake to open a jersey account because back in home country I don’t know is this is different.

I am hoping everything will be resolved positively on Monday. Thank you very much for the reply.

G_M

You aid a holding deposit and in return the LL (presumably) turned away other potential tenants.

You agreed a timescale.

If you now default (for whatever reason) the LL will either:

1) believe you, and wait - perhaps losing rent if you postpone the tenancy start date
2) not believe you & look for a more reliable tenant - losing more money as he has presumably already lost potential tenants

expatsam

When I talked to LL, I offered to pay rent from 16th(as agreed before) as this is my problem. I also send copy of CHAP payment form which I received from bank to the estate agent.

Thank you for all the advise I will try to do better hereafter.