Should I accept students from Greece for short-term let?

Landlord Discussion
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Hi,
I’m new here. I’m letting my home for up to five months while I work abroad. I’ve previously used Airbnb for shorter periods but prefer the idea of a longer tenancy, so I’m using OpenRent.

I’m in discussion with three students from Greece who are studying in London over the winter on the Erasmus scheme. I have copies of their IDs and copies of their offers from the university, King’s College London. I’ve met their friend who did a viewing in person and spoken with one on the phone. They seem legit. The rental period would be 3 months 2 weeks, maybe extending to 4 months 2 weeks. I will meet them for a viewing and to hand over keys before they check in.

They are currently struggling to place a Holding Deposit without a UK phone number and offering to send me the deposit off site.

What guarantees and reassurances should I ask for? How much should I ask in rent up front, and for a security deposit? Will I be able to use the Rent Now process if they cannot lodge the Holding Deposit?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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What if when you come back they have not moved out . The E course can be up to 12 months ?

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The letters from the university state the end date of the placement.

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That does not mean they will move out… Is the Uni paying the rent?

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You’re right, it doesn’t mean they will move out. They are paying the rent themselves. Do you have any advice for me?

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This is tricky . I have tenants of many years as I want long term. So you need others advice. Such a short term I would ask for all upfront. But still I would be nervous

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You wont be able to use RentNow without a UK phone number.

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I would suggest you reconsider letting the property whilst your away if you need to return to live there at some point. It takes the best part of a year to evict a tenant and if you dont know any of the huge number of regulations governing property lets, it could cost you thousands of pounds in penalties. Better to just leave it empty.

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I agree with @David122 , if you are only renting for 3-4 months, I wouldn’t bother. It could cost you far more than the rent being received, if you get things wrong, or they do not leave voluntarily.

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If the students are legit they will be able to provide you with a student certificate from the British and the Greek university
You will need a certificate to apply for student exemption anyway
The certificate will have the course and its dates
You can contact the academic department on the certificate to confirm they are real
The certificates usually come stamped with a two month expiry
They will have also booked a return flight
Four month tenancies are common on international exchange programmes

If it all adds up you should be ok with a four month
They have to go home to complete their degree so they aren’t likely to stay

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Take the full rent and deposit upfront
They are highly likely to default on rent if you don’t

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The only time I’ve had any issue with a tenancy is a very short term one like this with a student on a placement. Everything checked out upfront but the kid was a pain at the end. Left a mess, unclean premises and mold. Made a real stink about coughing up to cover costs. I couldn’t be bothered with going through DPS arbitration back then (system has changed since) so settled at a lower sum and did most of the work myself just to put a line under the matter. Also, had a new tenant lined up so couldn’t wait.

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