Is this legit? - Real deal?
My boyfriend just got a job out in London. He starts in Jan and I'm helping find a place to live. The bank hasnt really given him much information on the areas so I was hoping those familiar with London might be able to tell me a little more.
All he's found are apartments up to 800GBP per month, which is pretty high.
I came across this, at 400GBP.
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/apa/3376646734.html
Is this the real deal? Sure seems like a great deal but not really sure. Anyone?
Highly doubtful. SW6 is one of the more expensive postcodes - if not one of the most expensive. Very nice area though if you can swing it.
Here's what would happen, when you call / contact, whoever answer it will say the room's been taken but they have something similar in a similar area, you can still come by to take a look. Which will turn out to be NOTHING like the pictures. Please don't ask me how do I know about this.
I contacted the person and he came back to me. Said that he works in France and is looking to lease out long-term. 400GBP and a security deposit of 600GBP. All utilities inclusive. Too good right?
I arranged a viewing for my boyfriend!
All I will say is don't hand over a penny until you have seen a contract. If he asks for a holding deposit to take it off the market, refuse. Make sure he uses a registered deposit protection scheme as well.
800/month is not high for Central London. Currently I'm paying just over 1400 for a 2 bed and I even managed to rent somewhere once for 1600/month. What fifteen says is 100% true, it will be an Asian guy saying come round and look at my other places which will be terrible hovels above a kebab shop.
Craigslist is NOT the place to go for accommodation. Try SpareRoom or even Gumtree, although tread very carefully. This is in no way meant to be racist, but try and find a non-Asian landlord.
He will be working in either the City or Canary Wharf (POSSIBLY West End depending on the bank) so anywhere with decent transport links to either Kings Cross, Liverpool Street or Bank will be ideal. Try Docklands for Canary Wharf, Westferry for City / Canary Wharf or somewhere like Shepherds Bush for West End.
Thanks for the tips. between Gumtree and Craigslist, theres not a ton of difference from what I've seen. I'm just as likely to be screwed either way. I havent tried spareroom but will get to it today.
I think he's working in the City (EC1 postal area I believe), not sure if that correlates.
The above posts are spot-on. Also, I highly doubt anyone would rent out a place in south-west London for £400 per month period, and utilities tend to be included so this is too good to be true (don't want to sound cynical).
£400 for a one bedder in fulham? That spec for that lock you are looking at £700 per month so snap it up, but be wary.
Private landlords who do not go through agents are always cheaper, they lose around 12% of their rent from agents + fees so £620 would be the right price privately.
Check it our, and get his name... then go on this site http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/ pay £4 and get the registry contract and you will be able to see if the guy actually owns the flat or he is a con artist,
Much love.
Thanks for the tip. Its an apartment building so would be that be relevant here? I think I will check this one out. I emailed him since and he hasnt responded as of yet so fingers crossed it is the real thing.
EC1 is the City, so any location within Zones 1+2, particularly in SW will be quite expensive. When I first started there were absolute sh*tholes going for £800 per month, flat share with four other people... but luckily the market is not as insane as it was then.
I dont think he minds sharing with others but would prefer his own place (especially if he visitors over!)
Anyone with any other tips? Would really appreciate it!
SpanishBuzz, I absolutely wish you all the best and I hope all works out well. But £400/m in anywhere SW is just screaming scams. Just want to give you a head up that's all.
@SpanishBuzz , every seperate dwelling will have a land registry. The only time this isn't the case is in an HMO (House of Multiple Occupation).
You will need the flat number as if you search the postcode, every flat will come out,
OK, following up.
He responds to my email by sending me more pictures, a contract, a floorplan of the place and a copy of his passport. He mentions he lives and works in France so is unable to travel to London a lot. As he's afraid that coming to London would result in issues for him, he wants me to send him a copy of a Western Union transfer to a friend to indicate that I have the money to rent the flat.
Alarm bells.Did a little digging and found out his ip address is emanating from California!
Nice try.
Any other recommendations to check? Spareroom hasnt been that useful as of yet
Haha, nice - while you have 5 mins, send the details to the police in California. He can't hide. he's in LA not LAgos. Rightmove.co.uk is the staple for renting, try primelocation as well!
Also can you upload his emails, would make for a good read!
First email:
Hello,
I am not planning to move back in the flat for the next 7-8 years therefore we can make a contract for any period you would like, but for 1 month at least. I am the owner of the flat and the property is not a flatshare. The rent is 400 pounds/month for the whole flat (the bills and taxes are included: electricity, gas, water, tv, internet, council tax) and after you will sign the contract you will pay for the first month of rent in advance, plus the refundable deposit of 600 pounds. The property is very clean and I want to leave it to a person who is a clean and a responsible tenant. As you can see in the photos everything is new. I am working in France (Lyon) and I am here with my family. For me it is a bit hard to travel to London because of the location of my working place and I want to be sure that you are really interested in my offer. Regarding the meeting, I think we could plan an encounter when I can come to UK for the viewing. The property is fully furnished with all home utilities like: electric shower, vacuum cleaner, toaster, oven and microwave, dryer, iron, washing machine , refrigerator , dishwasher, heater, cable ready tv set and dvd player, internet connection, equipped kitchen. I am waiting for your mail to know if you are satisfied with the details which I gave you, as well to make the necessary arrangements for the viewing. I will send you another mail with more photos, a map of the location and the contract after I will receive your reply. I am waiting for your response.
Joseph Chevalier 7 Avenue de la Doyenne Lyon France
Second email:
Hello,
I have attached a copy of the contract. This is not the final version because after the viewing we will discuss about possible corrections of the tenancy agreement. I have also attached some pictures of the flat, a map of the location, the floorplan and a copy of my passport. I work for BNP Paribas France and because of my special situation (being abroad) I need to be sure that you are a genuine interested tenant. I am willing to have you in my flat as long as you pay your rent but it is unfortunate that my past bitter experience of inviting people to view my property without any form of confirmation of their financial ability has brought great loss to me. Some potential tenants do not have the money to pay their rent and yet they disturb the landlord to arrange a viewing. Also some people do not meet up with the appointments which has led to the dismissal of some landlords in their place of work by their employers and I cannot afford to find myself in a similar position. Therefore my lawyer and I have decided to carry out a simple test on financial ability before coming for the viewing. I am not asking you to send your bank statement and I definitely do not want to collect any money from you before the viewing. This is what we can do: You will make a money transfer to someone you know (it can be a family member) with name and address in UK using Western Union for 1 month rent and the deposit (that means 1000 pounds) and send me the scanned receipt (I will pay you back the transfer fees, do not worry). As soon as I receive the scanned receipt I will forward it to my lawyer to verify if it is truly genuine (note that my lawyer must confirm the transfer valid before the receiver picks up the money). After my lawyer verifies the authenticity of the transfer, I will book a flight for UK and I will meet with you. When we will meet I will bring all the documents and legal papers certifying my ownership of the flat and also the tenancy agreement which we will both sign after you will see the flat. You will pay me only after you will see the flat and after you will read and sign the contract. So all you have to do is to find a Western Union office and wire 1000 pounds to a friend of yours and send me the scanned receipt. I am asking you this to be sure that I do not come in UK for nothing. I hope you can understand my situation. Please understand that this money transfer by Western Union is not a payment for the flat, it will only prove to me that you are a serious and reliable person. I can come to London in 3-4 days after you make the transfer. I am waiting for your mail.
They have sent all the same photos again,floor plan, a copy of a passport,and a contract. From the same email address.
Still looking! Got a few leads but most of the stuff is so expensive.
Should we abandon hopes of securing a bargain and just take a reasonable place for £800, etc?
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