Anybody have any renting advice for me?

[oldbean]

yeah i think i agree but i thought i'd like to get somewhere on my own first and then find someone to share with after, someone fairly quiet and private who i think i'd get on with.

[TrustedFrend]

You could suggest a mutually acceptable escrow service and put up a years rent in advance with the condition that one months rent be collected each month so long as you are still in the property.

 

Whoa - be really careful here.

 

Escrow is great advice, but there are a significant number of current scams operating trying (and unfortunately often succeeding) in getting people to pay deposits to fake escrow services, and losing hundreds or thousands of pounds !!

 

Since 1 November 2009, with the introduction in the UK of the Payment Services Regulations, escrow services finally come under the auspices of the FSA and HMRC.

You will find genuine escrow companies at the FSA online register at www dot fsa.gov.uk/register/psdFirmSearchForm.do (try searching there for 'escrow' as an example) and/or at customs.hmrc.gov.uk/msbregister/checkTerms.do (try searching there for 'tru' in the name box and 'NW11' in the postcode box for one such genuine example).

 

These new online escrow services may offer exactly the service you are looking for, and cost only £3 or so all-in to use.

 

Beware, there are many, many fraudulent escrow services which look real - even quoting UK addresses, phone numbers and fake FSA & HMRC registration numbers. They look extremely professional, and any money posted to them (or goods sent relying on them) will be lost forever. So only ever work with a firm on the FSA register and/or the HMRC register, which will be safe.

[GrannyGranny]

You say you can't provide a reference from an employer but have income but its not benefits. Can the person/company who supplies this income provide a reference?

 

You should be ok with a private landlord and only have to pay a months rent and a deposit up front.

 

There are a few 1 bed flats in the Classified section of this forum in decent areas for around £500pcm.

[sar006ah]

yeh I agree no need to go through an agency there are plenty of private landlords around.

[JPFQ]

gumtree, private ads, post an ad, post offices - lots of places where you can make direct contact with landlords directly. most of which will not require more than 1-3 months deposit and won't care about references or bank checks.