I found 2Br apartments for 55 to 60 pounds per night for four nights in Westminster area of Central London. This seems low? It seems like a very nice spacious apartment. Have you used craigslist to rent apartmnets? Has your experience been good? Is it safe to pay especially since all I saw were pictures attached to email and no web site? Just want to make sure I don't get scammed...
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
That price waves a big red flag!
Posted by
OP
Iowa City
4 posts
Thanks Linda, Steve. I also feel that it is too good to be true. Along the same vein, I did see another listing(again through craigslist) and it was through through www.everydayhomelettings.org. Again the rent is 75 pounds for a deluxe one BR apt in Marylbone. Since they have teh website it seems legit. Could anyone shed any light on thsi one. I would like to rent through vrbo.com based on all the advice on this site but the dates are not available or the rent easily tops 160+. So, these craigslist rates are very tempting....another company is www.reservationaplace.com again through craigslist...appreciate any thoughst on these two...Thanks!
Posted by
Portland
3635 posts
There is a long discussion on the Tripadvisor forums about London apartment rental scams. I urge you to read it. It seemed to me that craigslist was used very often by the scammers.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
Have a look at these self catering apts from the London School of Economics. These are considered very reasonable so will give you some idea about the sort of prices you should expect to pay.
http://www.lsetopfloor.co.uk/default.htm
I second visiting the TA site for their advice on renting in London. There is also always a trade off between location and price. If it is a genuine rental it will be cheap for a reason, usually unfavourable.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi, Stacey.
I can't vouch for London, but we used Craigslist for an apt in Rome, and it was absolutely wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone, and have done so several times.
All I can say for CL London is - do some research, get the apt name (if it has one), address, google it - be wary of deposits in advance, etc, etc - ask for references or reviews. TRUST your instincts - Really it boils down to your comfort level with this particular 'vendor'.
Posted by
Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA
29 posts
Be very careful. My daughter-in-law was looking for rental homes and found a great little house that was lower than average monthly rent. The man said he would be out of the country and would have to do all the paperwork my mail. She drove to the location and there was a family living there and it was their home. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is a scam.