Short term let with property management company

1122abc

Hi all

Hope it’s okay to post here. I would appreciate any advice about how to protect myself when paying for a short term let with a property management company. 

I (well my mum) needs a place to stay for 3-4 months. I found a suitable listing on AirBnB. I have booked the first month on the app. The company advised that I can book a cheaper monthly rate directly through them. They appear to be a reputable company with 185 reviews, 4.62 stars, 1 year of hosting on AirBnb. They have 59 5 star reviews on Google. I have read that property management companies often do this - encourage an extension of a listing on their own platform.  

Payment is through bank transfer or credit card with an extra fee. 

Is there anything I should ask or do, to protect myself?

The only thing I thought of was to confirm in writing no extra charges other than the monthly price (they confirmed no charges) and to clearly state the monthly cost per month. 

Thanks for any advice!

theartfullodger

Does mum have any other home whilst she's in AirBnB?  e.g. her previous residence that's being refurbished?

Matters as to what sort of tenancy she has.

1122abc

theartfullodger said:

Does mum have any other home whilst she's in AirBnB?  e.g. her previous residence that's being refurbished?

Matters as to what sort of tenancy she has.

Yes, her home is currently uninhabitable due to escape of water, it’s awaiting insurance repair and is owned outright. This property management company doesn’t have an inventory or contract, everything is through e-mails. I’m thinking of asking for an inventory. Just want to make sure that I’m covering all my bases. 

theartfullodger

IANAL but I think that means that she actually has an AST (Assured shorthold tenancy..) not the AirBnB agreement, so has huge protection as tenant, but don't tell airbnb or owner.

Finding a solicitor to agrue this with judge may be hard....