I have been looking at A LOT of flat rental options and found one that looks nice online, posts the address in a great part of London (Kensington) and has an amazing price. The e-mail response requested that to reserve it I would need to pay 40% plus security deposit which is fine. My question is that they requested funds be sent by money or bank transfer only. I'm not comfortable with submitting my reservation this way...has anyone else had experience making a booking like this? It's appears legitimate but I would hate to be surprised come February when we arrive. Thanks for any advice.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
You might want to check out apts on holiday-rentals.co.uk You can register with them when you make your reservation -- if it turns out to be a fluke, they will reimburse you (up to 3300 pounds) for whatever money you deposited or paid in advance.
40% plus a security deposit seems a little high to me unless you can pay by credit card or through PayPal.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
I'd be very careful with that. 40% and a security deposit is a lot. There are plenty of scams around. Most flats I've rented have offered paypal as an option. Remember that old saying, 'If it looks too good to be true, it probably is'- I would expect a flat in Kensington to be expensive.
Where did you find it, is it a private ad, or through a company that deals in rentals?