First time renting - "holding fee"?

Zyx

I viewed a flat today and was asked to put up a holding fee if I wanted it as "apparently" someone else already put one up for a lower rent price.

So I gave some woman my card details over the phone and the guy told me he'd call me later today.
Have I done everything right or does it smell of scam?

Pixie5740

Where are you? Scotland? If so such fees are unlawful?

England or Wales? Holding fees are quite common but I hope in your case they are fully refundable if the landlord/letting agent continue to market the property instead of holding it for someone who has paid a holding fee.

Zyx

He told me another guy also put up a fee but on lower rent. He said his colleagues can still show the flat to people as long the landlord hasn't accepted but told me that once he accepts it will be safe.

Later on he called me to enquire about my flatmate so I guess if he was scamming me he would not have bothered.

Kynthia

In future I'd try and get something in writing about what the fee is for and whether it's refundable and in what circumstances. Taking multiple holding fees can be a scam and can be legal but morally ambiguous.