A blind deposit...

Scam said:
:)
EDIT: To the OP, how far down the line is your friend? This may all be a misunderstanding. If he's contacted someone through CL and seen the room, and told them he wants it, they may just be asking for a deposit from him to hold it. Then he'll pay the rest when he moves in. It's just cover for them to take it off the 'market' and not have any more viewings. I don't know where they get 'bind' from, that just sounds dodgy. And if it's through CL how comes he has given references etc? :confused: Surely there's no agent involved? :confused:
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So far private rentals have asked for references (being a foreigner, and no work yet..hmm). He arrived this weekend. Is staying in a hostel, cant stand the place, cant concentrate on the work he still does for clients in Chile (he's a graphic designer btw www.fabz.tv). So no agencies involved, cause I advised him not to...

Another thanks to all for your kind replies. A nice bunch you are. Often have a good laugh on here.
 
and yes...a 400 quiddies scam it was

a damn pity I couldnt reach him by phone while I was getting your replies on here

feel really sad & sorry for him now
 
It's easy for everyone to say avoid and I know this did end up as a scam so it is a shame. The problem though is coming to the UK for the first time it is really difficult to find a place to rent. You don't have UK references most likely no bank account. Bank does not want to open an account because you have no utility bill (prove of address). You can't get a utility bill as you don't have somewhere permanent to stay.

Vicious circle to get out of and there are people that know this and abuse this fact. Even the ones that gives you legitimate rental properties will charge at least 50%-70% more than normal rates.

Good luck to your friend, really hopes he can sort something out.
 
Scam said:
Since when do you pay a percentage of the rent for a deposit? It's normally just 6 weeks rent, or two months or something.
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It was simply an example. It doesn't matter if it's a house rental or even a new car. I put a blind deposit on a car to get on the reserve list for a model had not been released at the time and had not had it's RRP set.
 
sara said:
I think it's this. Dodgy. What have they to hide?
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Sounds like someone is PRETENDING they have a flat to rent, has gone through the channels of advertising, and then asks deposit with a view to show the flat the next day or later that week.

They probably have no right to be advertising it in the first place.


-edit
scratch that, should have read whole thread
 
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jbs said:
It's easy for everyone to say avoid and I know this did end up as a scam so it is a shame. The problem though is coming to the UK for the first time it is really difficult to find a place to rent. You don't have UK references most likely no bank account. Bank does not want to open an account because you have no utility bill (prove of address). You can't get a utility bill as you don't have somewhere permanent to stay.

Vicious circle to get out of and there are people that know this and abuse this fact. Even the ones that gives you legitimate rental properties will charge at least 50%-70% more than normal rates.

Good luck to your friend, really hopes he can sort something out.
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Thank you JBS, that is useful info.
It is certainly not going to be easy, but I still admire the fact that he took the plunge to leave Chile to give it a go in London. Let's face it..not many people dare to follow their dreams (btw not economy ones....cause in that respect he had a good life in Chile)
 
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