Has anyone used the OpenRent site to rent a property?

The_Walker

We're interested in renting a property and the landlord is using the OpenRent site instead of an agent. I'm not sure how the process works. Do we let the landlord know we're interested first and then pay a deposit if accepted as tenants? Or do we pay the initial deposit straight away online and the LLD refunds anyone he/she rejects are tenants?

thanks

zenshi

My son uses openrent. He had loads of emails from potential tenants. He mailed and set up interviews with his choices. Once chosen, he then did credit check and refs before new tenants put down deposit

anselld

OpenRent have a habit of requesting deposit from the tenant before the Landlord has actually made a decision.  It is annoying for both parties if that is not the T the L has chosen.

So I would say to check with the Landlord first.   Some will manage it themselves, some will manage it through OpenRent.

The_Walker

Ah right, so I did the right thing then and emailed before paying a deposit. OpenRent seems to instruct paying a deposit when you make an offer, not once accepted by the landlord.

Thanks guys

MaryNB

The_Walker said:

We're interested in renting a property and the landlord is using the OpenRent site instead of an agent. I'm not sure how the process works. Do we let the landlord know we're interested first and then pay a deposit if accepted as tenants? Or do we pay the initial deposit straight away online and the LLD refunds anyone he/she rejects are tenants?

thanks

A landlord cannot take more than one holding deposit for the same potential tenancy. If they did they would be in breach of the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

GDB2222

The_Walker said:

We're interested in renting a property and the landlord is using the OpenRent site instead of an agent. I'm not sure how the process works. Do we let the landlord know we're interested first and then pay a deposit if accepted as tenants? Or do we pay the initial deposit straight away online and the LLD refunds anyone he/she rejects are tenants?

thanks

I'm a landlord, and I used Openrent a couple of years ago.

I simply used them for advertising, as they were free at the time. They sent me details of the prospective tenants. I met them all at the property, and took a  (tiny) holding deposit from the lady who seemed best. 

One thing I was appalled about was that she sent me a month's rent as a deposit plus a month's rent in advance of moving in, without making any checks on me at all.  Fortunately for her, I was completely above-board, and she wasn't scammed.

seven-day-weekend

I use OpenRent and have been very pleased with them.

I have had to return a couple of holding deposits when potential renters have 'jumped the gun' and put down a deposit without me agreeing (or in some cases, without having seen the flat!).

Usually though, once I have agreed with a tenant that the place is theirs, that is the time to put down the deposit.

TripleH

Are the deposits sent direct to you or to OpenRent?

If no verifications on the landlord/ that the property is genuine, it looks like a dangerous place for scams.

GDB2222

TripleH said:

Are the deposits sent direct to you or to OpenRent?

If no verifications on the landlord/ that the property is genuine, it looks like a dangerous place for scams.

It’s a while since I went through the process, and I vaguely recall that there were some checks. 

anselld

TripleH said:

Are the deposits sent direct to you or to OpenRent?

If no verifications on the landlord/ that the property is genuine, it looks like a dangerous place for scams.

They do make checks, ID and property ownership.