Please tell me if i should accept...

euston · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

Hello!!!

I am still looking for a flat in London. I registered to easyroomates a few days ago and i bumped on a ad this morning that looks quite nice.
I am looking for a room with its own bathroom.

The ad is from Chinese bedsitters. A few of my friends told me it looks suspicious, that they can give u keys that afterwards dont open the door... they ask just a copy of my password to book the room and my mobile number... do u think i should do it?

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 5644

Any kind of 'want' ad is plagued by scammers and con-artists. This forum is choked with tales of exploitation by tenants, landlords and letting agents, not to mention out and out fraudsters.

I don't fully understand the offer of accommodation as the details you provide are very poor. Can you send a link to the ad or a bit more info on this?

Also, why not just trust your gut instinct and advice from friends on this one?

euston · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

My friends say it looks suspicious just because they are Chinese bedsitters but it doesnt necessary mean there is something wrong?

here is the link http://uk.easyroommate.com/content/looking/referralmore_room.cfm?RCode=2005052421145997&CFID=470058579&CFTOKEN=52629660

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 5644

Why not view it as you'd have to see if you like the area anyhow?

Find out from the landlord more details about the tenancy agreement (i.e. notice period, deposit, any admin fees) and so on?

Don't be pressurised into signing up. If you are interested, take the tenancy agreement away and have a good look at it (or get a solicitor to check it) to make sure it's a proper one without any dodgy clauses.

After your viewing when the LL has gone, hang around and see if you can talk to any tenants to talk about the standard of the accommodation, how quickly the landlord deals with repairs, if they are aware of deposit disputes and so on? In other words, ask them for a recommendation.

He's advertised on the gumtree and has provided full contact details

http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/4590652.html

Try googling the email address, post code, contact numbers and so on to see what you unearth.

michaelkane · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

don't give out your passport copy, unless legally required.

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 5644

I am curious to know why you recommend that he doesn't provide a photocopy of his passport if required to prove his ID?

That, or a driving licence, is a pretty common requirement to verify a tenant's ID.

Plus lots of employers, recruitment agents and solicitors require it as part of their checks against money laundering or proof of ID process.