6 Month's Rent

Looks like we've  found a place to rent near Liverpool. We're  in the typical  situation  with no UK credit history, so it seems they'll  ask for the  6 month's  rent up front. How have others paid this? Seems like a money wire is a little risky, since we could  have a hard time getting  it back if something  went wrong. Has anyone  done an escrow  account? Or put it on a credit  card, so you could at least dispute  the charge, if needed?

Thanks in advance.

(Written  while mobile and sleepy, please forgive me if this doesn't  make as much sense as it should.)

Have you actaually viewed the property or are you trying to rent before you arrive? I'd hold off on renting until you are in the area, and stay in a hotel or find somewhere you can rent for a month or so before making such a big decision. Of course you may have friends/family in the area who are helping you with the process.  When friends of mine were moving to the UK I found them a VRBO type let where they stayed for a month. It turned out that properties viewed on the internet weren't all they appeared to be, and they also didn't like the original area on which they'd be concentrating. But that's just my 2 pence worth.

I don't think you can pay by c/card as the estate agent would be losing a percentage in fees. By law your deposit, usually 2 months rent, has to be held in an escrow account so presumeably it would be the same for your larger deposit.

I agree with Fruitgum - don't do a sight unseen...rentals  can be very different in reality....we paid the price for this when we moved to Chew Magna...oh my god we still have nightmares about the place....so gross. That and having a dog caused a massive issue.


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Thanks! It's not sight unseen, sorry if I gave the wrong impression. Just trying to get an idea of how to best pay this while protecting myself. My previous US landlords were not always the most honest people, and would use any excuse to run off with my deposit. Don't want anyone running of with 6 months worth!

Can you worse the money to yourself first? That way you will feel more control of where it goes, especially if you feel better giving a bank draft upon signing the lease.

Thank you for the reply. We paid through a bank transfer, but the rental agents had worked with these landlords before, and it my research showed this is the customary way to pay. Plus, I didn't realize the deposit was held in a well regulated scheme. Fingers crossed we'll see that deposit again without a fight!

Just FYI, as a new arrival I was asked to do 6 months in advance as well.  There was no problem in the end because everyone was honest.

Reminds me of a story when we rented a place for just 6 months.  The dodgy landlord kept making excuses for months to avoid returning our deposit.  I finally sent him a "letter before action ", the legally required last communication before taking someone to court.  He paid up.  A few months later, I get an email from him saying that the agents screwed up and never activated the direct debit so we never actually paid him any rent the whole 6 months.

I paid him the amount I owed immediately just to make the point that I am not a lying scumbag like him


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