Is this normal? It worries me......

I've never rented an apartment in England. Nevertheless all those conditions sound very suspicious to me and I would not go for it. I would try to find another apartment, B & B or hotel.

Frankly , I'd run like hell in the opposite direction . A FEE for checking in ????

Hmmm, you're paying an £80 for cleaning fee and they expect you to leave the place spotless, including washing dishes? What's the cleaning fee for?

I would probably keep looking for another place. Stating that, "too many nitpicks have sucked any potential joy out of staying with you."

While that list of penalties contains nothing that I would conscientiously leave behind for the maids, it does seem rather draconian.

I charge a fairly large cleaning fee for a place I rent through AirBnB, but there's a huge amount of linens and towels that need to be washed after each stay. The housekeeping fee should cover that. And there should also not be a separate, PER SET, linen fee. (Unless they're talking about new sets during your stay, but it doesn't make that clear at all.)

There also shouldn't be an extra 'Check-in Fee'. Include that in the price!. I'm supposing you could deny the 'Starter Pack', but you can't tell them you'll pass on the check-in, like they were an usher wanting to show you to your theater seat.

Damage deposit is pretty typical for a 3-4 bedroom house. How big is this place?

The kitchen part of the cleaning fee is for getting the stove, fridge, and countertops hygienic for the next guests. I do expect anyone who stays at my rental to do their own dishes.

This is quite normal in my opinion, if you look after the place, leave it clean and tidy, you won't pay any extra. Generally landlords are not looking to rip people off. You could always negotiate it down a little, but what they are asking does not seem unreasonable.

If there are reviews available online, and people had been hit with extra charges unreasonably, I would of expected them to mention it in the review. Take photo's when you get there in case of disputes later. The check in procedure usually involves someone walking round the flat with you, logging all the damage, etc. and giving you a report. Then to check out, they do the same again and compare reports, and you might be charged for damage cause by you. I don't think it's anything to be worried about, landlords just don't want their expensive flats trashed.

If you have to pay a huge cleaning fee ...why would you have to take the place " as is". It sounds very suspicious to me ...wouldn't do it myself !

I think the "as is" suggests that they don't want to hear the guest ask for extra pillows or better cooking utensils (something I always need upgrades on) because they can't be bothered to do that 'little extra' in the customer service realm. They certainly wouldn't make 'super-host' status on AirBnb.

Which rental company is this? Personally, I'd be leery and keep searching.

Susan.. I would not rent from them.. sorry .. but why would I have to pay a check in fee.. isn't that included in the cost of running a business.. and yes.. the " as is" is scary sounding.. so what if person checks out before you.. does a crappy cleaning job.. has to pay the extra fee.. but owner just pockets the fee and does not have the extra cleaning done?? You have to accept apartment as is...

and all those extra penalty fees.

I have not rented in London.. but have in France.. and have looked at several companies... there is no way I would sign this contract myself.

Ps 50 GBPs for smoking odor.. well , , some folks would happily pay that and smoke.. so you could get a smoky smelling flat too...

Its way to nit picky..

Hi,

All this information above and requirements form the argument not to choose the apt. option.

"A fee for checking in" Yes, I have seen that in London where if you wanted check in early other than at 15:00, you could do so but were charged a fee for this convenience. The fee depended on how many hours earlier from the official check in time. This was at Easy Hotel.

I've never seen such a list for anyplace I've rented, or considered renting. Looks like a list of everything that has gone wrong with previous tenants. Check-in fee is just bizarre. So is linen fee. The places we've rented didn't need a "starter pack" because those kinds of things were already there from previous renters or supplied by the owner. If we bought dish soap or TP or garbage bags we'd leave the surplus for others. We often found, and left, nonperishable food and staples too.

I'd keep looking, unless the place is otherwise so appealing that you're willing to put up with this nickel-and-diming (in GBP of course).

So Susan, you're coming to London to spend the last day cleaning the stove?
Makes hotels look pretty good: No contract, no big legal penalty clauses that you can't contest or only with difficulty, no spening the last day cleaning the entire apartment and the oven before you leave. Condo rentals in Hawaii, they have someone come in and clean the condo after you leave, they don't make you spend your last day in paradise cleaning the place.
Hotels: Wave bye-bye to the front desk and leave.

We have rented apartments in Lisbon, Florence, Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Zandvoort, Amsterdam, Bruges and Athens. They have been through VRBO/Homeaway, AirBnB and directly from the owner.

The rental periods have been from 5 to 8 nights. We have NEVER encountered anything like what you are being "offered." The closest was the place in Bruges where we found undisclosed "rules" which required that we clean the place before we left. To say I was PO'ed is putting it mildly, but we left the place cleaner than we found it.

That list of fees and penalties is long, complicated, confusing, contradictory and subject to highly subjective interpretation. My cynical self says that you could be charged for any number of "transgressions."

No matter how nice the place may look online, I'd be looking for another lodging.

The linen fees and cleaning fees are not that unusual in self catering holidays, early check in fees are becoming more common. However where there is a cleaning fee and paid, I'd expect that none of the cleaning bits of the penalty charges to be chargeable.

The penalty charges though, I would be on tipadvisor to read more about the apartment. It does read a bit like the 'prices' sung in 'Master of the House' in Les Mis by Thenardier.

Well - knowing how hard you have worked on this, Susan, it must be a kick in the teeth.

I'd run, not walk, a mile.

Maybe you could share the listing? I've never previously heard of that company, but I've just spent some time wandering around their website.

I can't find anything on there that matches what I know you are looking for.

They strike me as a company that specialises in long term rentals, not a few days.

I've rented flats or apartments in Rome, and the UK, and other places (always VRBO) and never seen anything like what you have posted. Sounds like renting a car then hit you for every possible problem with the car no matter how fastidious you are. It sounds to me like a great way for the agency to jack up its income.

I bet they make you pay to check in and then make you pay to check out... yukk

What does TA say about them? How are the reviews?

Sounds like the landlord is totally burned out and bummed out on people. One thing to have all the penalties, IF (and only if) you were to receive the apartment in excellent condition at the start of the rental.

But, with a list like that, even though you are very likely someone who would take very good care of the place, just having to 'document' what was pre-existing dirt/stains/damage with a checklist signed by the landlord and you, is it 'worth it' for a vacation? And, I wonder if the person has neighboring folks who would complain, just to collect the E50.....a la, 'we heard them unlocking the door.' 'We heard them flushing the commode at 10pm.' Zing: E100!!! And, since you are getting the place 'as is' what if you smell smoke from a previous occupant....what is 'new smoke' vs. 'old smoke' smells? Ugh..... And, if it is freezing outside or hotter than he--, does that mean you cannot run heat or a/c while at dinner?

Since you would be receiving it 'as is,' what if it was trashed right before you got there?......does that mean you would be stuck with a dump? Likely.

Unless this was the absolute last place in the world to stay, I would run in the opposite direction.

To answer your question: YES, you should be worried. The lessor needs to find a new occupation IMHP.

The company is Finda London Flat and the flat name is Luxurious Hyde Park Flat.
I found them on Homeaway. I realize that these expectations are normal, and we are adults that respect properties etc. and I also realize that they probably have had trouble with other renters. But, it sure doesn't make me feel warm and cozy about staying here. But, I'm having such a problem finding a decent place. I was so happy to be done looking...but?

This place has only 4 reviews and two are excellent and two are good. Not terribly convincing.

Cant find anything about them on TripAdvisor, just the ones shown on Homeaway.

Susan and Monte , Do you really want to jump through all these hoops ? What Kent says above -- hotel ! , really makes sense . The Premier Travel Inns are great ! well priced , great locations , lifts , A/C , clean as a whistle and cheery . What more do you need , hassles ?

It sounds like a place that advertises a low rental price and then tacks on a lot of extra fees. Not good, in my opinion.

It also sounds like they have had trouble with inconsiderate/immature types and now want everything spelled out. Most of us would not need a threat of penalty imposed to do whatis right--keep theplace in good order and not disturb the neighbors.

I am comfortable with a cleaning fee and security/damage deposit ( whichnwe always get back), and fee for a lost key ( since they may have to change the locks) but that is it. The " welcome pack" items have always been include in anyplace we have rented.

I assume the fixed penalties are the amounts that come out of the damage deposit forthe specified transgressions. Maybe they have had clients dispute these so need them spelled out.

Are you certain the check-in fee is not for out-of-hours check-in, like early or late?

Bottom line: maybe it is just an abundance of caution on their part, but I would never rent from a place so unwelcoming.

"I would never rent from a place so unwelcoming."
That's the bottom line of Lola's post.

But Kent,

You can't turn your Farmer's Market finds into a wonderful meal (or put your bottle of something, found at the local wine merchant's, into the fridge without taking mini-bar stuff out first) in a hotel.

Give me that kitchenette! All my favorite kinds of shopping are off limits to me if I'm in a posh hotel.

If you're looking for an apt because you need a kitchenette, did you check the places recommended in this thread?

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/london-hotel-with-kitchenette

Ugh!!!!!! What would I do without you guys!!

Bill,
I understand what you're saying, and I'm sure you travel style and shopping preferences are just right for you.
My wife and I have different travel preferences and would rather not have a kitchen, or other issues associated with renting apartments, in Europe.

Each experienced traveler will have his/her own, different, travel preferences--that are right for them.
Happy Travels!
Kent

Susana & Monte,

I'm just curious, what was the rate per night? (without all the added charges)

I've not rented an apartment in the UK, but the last time I stayed in an apartment in Europe, I was charged a flat rate of €160/night & this included breakfast!

I like what Kent had to say:

Condo rentals in Hawaii, they have someone come in and clean the condo
after you leave, they don't make you spend your last day in paradise
cleaning the place.

Hotels: Wave bye-bye to the front desk and leave.

Best of luck finding a welcoming place!

It was 2,250 pounds for 6 nights, but then you had to add on the "extra people" for 300 pounds, then all the things at the top I listed, so another 200 pounds.

I just booked the travelodge with breakfast and we each have our own rooms with beds!

YAY! I'm done! Now I can do the fun part!

I'm happy for you!

Enjoy your trip!