Problems with trying to rent a room

faringdon

Hi,

I am trying to rent a room for £700/month but they are asking for 1 weeks rent holding deposit, 

which i would gladly pay into the estate agents bank account. However, they wont allow this, they want me

to pay it into this unusual website...

https://www.chancellors.co.uk/agreementtorent

There will also be a deposit of £807.69, which again I am happy to pay by either by going into their 

office and inserting my card into their card terminal, or paying into their bank account using their

bank account number and sort code.

I am happy to pay all of this, but I am not happy about putting my bank details into the above website.

It seems to me that its just a vehicle via which they can take whatever money they want out of my bank account.

The rental agreement says its a 12 month agreement. I said I wouldn't want it because I  am requesting a 6 month

agreement. However, when I put this to them they just said not to worry as if I sign up for the 12 month agreement

then I can just leave any time after 4 months as long as I give 2 months notice.

Please advise on their unusual method of payment requirement?

Emmia

You know that Chancellors is an estate / lettings agent?

Tabieth

I don’t understand. Why don’t you want to pay directly to the lettings agent?

faringdon

Thanks, but i dont see why i have to give them my bank details etc...why cant i just pay them by bank transfer?

user1977

faringdon said:

Thanks, but i dont see why i have to give them my bank details etc...why cant i just pay them by bank transfer?

And they don't see why you can't pay by card.

Uriziel

Do you not want to provide a screenshot of what the website is asking you to enter?
People here will not be able to see. Are they asking for an account number and sort code?

Tabieth

faringdon said:

Thanks, but i dont see why i have to give them my bank details etc...why cant i just pay them by bank transfer?

You’re renting a room. They’ll need your bank details anyway. 

Bookworm225

I think you have fundamentally misunderstood what you are being asked for

they want your card details so they can AT A FUTURE DATE charge one weeks rent to that card details you provide as a "penalty" for you withdrawing your application to rent.

money will NOT be taken from your account unless you trigger the failure to rent criteria.

It is not a physical holding deposit in real money terms, it is merely them having a means to take the money from your card if you drop out from applying.

Herzlos

If you're worried about fraud, set up a new bank account to pay from. With online banking it should only take you a few minutes.

faringdon

Thanks, but why are they getting these card details when they dont get them in a bank transfer

housebuyer143

faringdon said:

Thanks, but why are they getting these card details when they dont get them in a bank transfer

Read the above comments. You are seeing a scam where their isn't one. That's their process for payment, I doubt they have a card machine in the branch. 
If they randomly take unauthorised payments then you raise it with the bank as fraud, although I doubt they will do this as they will not be allowed to just store your bank details and take whatever they want. They will only be able to take the amount you agree to pay when you make the payment on the website.

I don't see how this is any different to buying anything online? Amazon doesn't just randomly steal money from your card because you inputted your details once. That's not how it works.