Too mean?

Badger_Lady

Hi,

I'm Troy McClure, you may remember me from such posts as "letting to someone from abroad"...

Basically, I started renting out rooms in my house (and yes, I'm aware of HMO obligations etc). The rooms were very popular, and I've got two fantastic lads in the two doubles - couldn't be happier

I was contacted about the third, single room by a chap from Mauritius - it was more complicated than usual, faxing contracts, receiving deposit money via Western Union and checking out his visa claims - but he seems like another great bloke and I felt happy to go out of my way that little bit to help him with his move to the UK.

After a couple of delays (during which I held his room empty), he was due to move in this weekend, and we both signed an agreement to that effect. However, he emailed me a couple of days ago to explain that, sadly, there had been a technicality with his visa paperwork and he would have to wait another month for them to review it. He's very confident that next month he'll be successful and in a position to proceed. He also said that he's very keen to keep the room and willing to send extra money to hold it - he mentioned paying back-rent when he arrives.

I expressed my sympathies at his struggle, and said that he will need to pay his first month's rent ASAP by Western Union to keep the room available (rather than paying it retrospectively on arrival).

Is that just too mean? The guy's under such a lot of stress, suffered a major blow on his visa application at the last minute, and now his British landlord is demanding rent for a room he's never even seen...

But on the other hand, I could have had a local lad in there paying rent 20 days ago, so I'd be losing out even more by continuing to hold it. Of course, although the deposit is mine to keep, there's no guarantee he'll ever get here.

Let the judgement commence...

Canucklehead

Good evening: Not mean, just good business.

Canuckelehead

brummybloke

rule of thumb to stick to no matter what anyone else says.

coming from abroad, western union money transfers, pay back rent?

take the money and keep it advertised.

hope you dont find he is now using your address as some kind of nigerian fraud postal address for cheques from confused people and get rich quick hopefulls.

harsh? yep but seen it happen soooo many times, a place for people with stolen credit cards and such to use these addresses as delivery points for all kinds of expensive things, they then send someone around saying they are ting tong from tootings friend coming to collect any post and p[ackages.

how did he get your details? mauritius - south wales??

Badger_Lady

brummybloke wrote: »

how did he get your details? mauritius - south wales??

spareroom.com It's a worldwide phenomenon!

I have his £100 deposit sitting in my bank account, nice and safe, and he has no right to refunds of any kind. Therefore there's no potential here for a "deposit scam".

I also have all his details in Mauritius, including address, employment, full name and date of birth (some of which were confirmed by his WU transfer, although I'd admit some are unverified). He has very few of mine.

If anyone is taking a leap of faith / trust in this transaction, it's the guy who's sending money to some bird off the internet!

brummybloke

Badger_Lady wrote: »

spareroom.com It's a worldwide phenomenon!

I have his £100 deposit sitting in my bank account, nice and safe, and he has no right to refunds of any kind. Therefore there's no potential here for a "deposit scam".

I also have all his details in Mauritius, including address, employment, full name and date of birth (some of which were confirmed by his WU transfer, although I'd admit some are unverified). He has very few of mine.

If anyone is taking a leap of faith / trust in this transaction, it's the guy who's sending money to some bird off the internet!

sounds like you are clued up then.

things like that i would prefer to meet the person face to face, especially if it is going to be in a house rather than a single occupancy.

it may be worth keeping an eye out for any odd post turning up though, just to be on the safe side.

Badger_Lady

Thanks, I know you're only looking out for me .

I agree, meeting first is a bonus - as mentioned in the "letting to someone from abroad" thread though, I get the impression this guy has really struggled to find a landlord willing to help him, and he's incredibly grateful to me for accommodating him.

The rent here is only £200pcm inc all bills, so it's probably all he can afford (single occupancy would be at least double). I can only imagine how difficult it must be to make the kind of move he's planning! He's been working two jobs since leaving school, saving up to achieve his "dream of coming to the UK".

I believe in karma!

real1314

Hmm, not saying he is a con job, but people who are unconvincing con merchants don't tend to last long in the job.
How many times have you seen a story on a pensioner who was robbed by a bogus official, where they say "he seemed so nice"??

Might be genuine, but keep in mind that he might not.

geoffky

this has warning bells written all over it.......take care .also check the wu transfer has gone to funds available and not just cleared as they even pass bank checks they are that good...

janegresty

I would get 1 months rent from him until he moves in, as even though he is not living there he is still asking you to hold the room, which is losing you rent.
And that way if he is up to any funny business he will refuse to pay?
Good luck!

daisykinn1

No you're not being mean at all. I rent and I'd expect to pay the months rent if I'm living there or not.

Benefits_Blagger

just make sure that no matter what you do, under no circumstances do not take any checks. if your offered one at any point not only refuse it, but walk away from the whole thing.