Is this guy/apartment in London legit?

[golfgal]

I found this one which looks really good - almost too good and it gives me pause to wonder if this could be a scam or if it's just a nice place for a good rate (£320/week).

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/central-london-zone-2/78056

I haven't talked to him on the phone but we have exchanged several emails and I am set to wire transfer the money for one week today. One odd thing is that he never answered emails until well after midnight UK time...maybe just a night owl or works afternoons?

I did find the actual property for sale on another site -

http://www.foxtons.co.uk/search?property_id=653232&resource=tour&search_form=map&search_type=SS&submit_type=search

This leaves me to think that maybe it's just a distressed property owner looking to cover their costs and hold on in this down market...

Opinions anyone? Anyone over there want to check to see if the phone numbers are legit?

Thanks!

[paul]

I have no idea whether this is legit or not but I wouldn't take the fact that he's replying to emails after midnight as all that suspicious. My guess would be that he has a day job and so deals with emails relating to his property at a time outside of his office hours.

I, for instance, tend to deal with all my personal and blog-related emails after midnight because I'm busy with other stuff during the day, getting kids to bed in the early evening, and having a little time to myself later on, before then dealing with those emails quite late.

Another possibility is that although he owns property in London, he's actually located elsewhere (so is on a different timezone).

So no... I don't find it all that odd that his emails are tending to be at a certain time.
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[golfgal]

Yes I fully understand the odd hours thing...been there, done that.

I DID just get a response from him to a detailed email I wrote earlier about my concerns -

"Hi there what can I say..
Couldn't sell the property as the property market has gone belly up so i am now using it for a holiday let.
If you are at all concerned please contact my bank who will justify me as a long standing customer.
Other than that as I have only just joined Holiday lettings there's nothing more I can do.
Please let me know your position."

I think it's less suspicious now - sounds like he is just "new" to the whole rental thing so doesn't have the track record established, though the reply was rather short considering the detailed email I sent off to him.

I'll maybe contact the bank and verify him before sending any cash, just to be on the extra cautious side of things.

[paul]

Seems a fair response to me (although of course that's without me knowing precisely what was in your email). If he's replying post-midnight, I doubt he's wanting to write at length. If he's only just entered the rental market, that might also account for the competitive pricing. He'd no doubt sooner let the property at a modest rate than not rent it out at all.
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[golfgal]

Funny enough - he had a PayPal account which never came to light until yesterday!

Wire transfers are just not a good way to do business in dealing with anyone one doesn't know. PayPal or Credit Cards are much more secure.

So the deal is done - all legit. Thanks for the input!

[singletraveller]

I would be extremely careful about renting from adverts from private advertisers.

There has been a lot in the media recently about scams where you agree to rent a flat before actually seeing it. The advertiser requests that you deposit some funds into a western union account in your own name and then email the advertiser a copy of the reciept as proof you can afford the deposit. They will not let you see the flat until you have done this.

What happens next is that the advertiser will go tto thier local western union office with a copy of your receipt and some fake ID and withdraw the funds without your knowledge.

The adverts are usually of flats or houses that are being marketed by estate agents but have been copied to look like their own property.

There maybe some more on this on the BBC website but a simple google search on this should bring up some results.

The bottom line is don't part with any money until you have met the advertiser in person and seen the accommodation.
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[golfgal]

[chibby123]

Of course there are going to be scams going around they have been for years, my advice; dont wire money for something you haven't seen. If in doubt the best option is going to be a travel agents, with some kind of ATOL protection, other then that, if you mess with private you are more then likely to be stung, but dont let that put you off!
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[Nicola]

I am sorry but I disagree with the comments above about renting off private owners. Yes there are some unscrupulous people out there but the vast majority are legitimate property owners renting out their beautiful holiday homes! The accommodation is a lot of the time far superior to a bog standard hotel room and can work out as a really cheap way to travel (especially for large parties).

Another point to remember is that anyone advertising on listing sites such as Holiday Rentals or the likes also has to pay a subscription fee to that site - are they really likely to do this if they don't actually own the property?

[chocaholic]

I think as with everything just be careful and sensible. If something seems too good to be true it generally is!!

But ,I would not be put off renting from the private market, we have done it quite afew times. The villas have been great and very reasonable in price.
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[Gite Guru]

..I can personally vouch for the block of flats as I used to live there myself when I first moved to London 12 years ago! Lovely location right on the river, and I used to watch Fulham playing from my balcony and on the other side of Craven Cottage there's a lovely walk along the Thames through a park down to Putney Bridge. Hammersmith is a walk away with the Apollo for great entertainment, and there's heaps of pubs and restaurants.

The pool and sauna are a nice bonus too, or at least my then girlfriend, now wife used to tell me

[peterevr]

Actually, in my experience many lettings agents can be equally dodgy as well. One common tactic when you move out is to nit-pick any areas you may have missed in cleaning and take your deposit just for that!

[attridge]