We never saw the landlord. The property and Open Rent listing is managed by the current tenant as the landlord lives abroad.
We viewed the property and we loved it so we paid the holding deposit via Rent Now indicating that in order to give prompt notice to current landlord we would need to sign the contract as soon as references have passed.
The references passed the next day. The landlord then went quiet for a week. It was not until a call with the tenant that we received a contract to sign via WhatsApp from the actual tenant and not via Open Rent giving us a deadline of the next day to sign it and requesting that we pay a second holding deposit directly to the landlord’s personal account. We are worried that the agreement is coming via WhatsApp and that a second holding deposit is being asked for.
This sounds really dodgy…
Why would a landlord pay for Rent Now and then send the contract via WhatsApp. Asking you to pay a second holding deposit is illegal.
Monika, it sounds dodgy. Why would you have to communicate with T if LL is one e-mail away? I’d put everything on hold and demand the LL to show you Land Registry or other proof of ownership.
That’s why we as LL, insist on ALWAYS meeting in person. Fraud cuts both ways.
One more question. Is this property a really good value for money? Cheaper than average market rate? That may be another red flag and what fraudsters do to make it attractive. It also may be that current T is trying to make money for themselves, and LL is not aware of the situation.
Good luck.
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Monika10
You should report this listing to Openrent. It’s a scam.
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Suspect Landlord and Tenant are related. Whatever is going on is a red flag. Report it to OR.