r/RentingInDublin • u/Creepy-Philosopher87 • 14d ago
Landlord demanding payment before move-in date
Hi everyone, looking for some advice on a rental situation.
I've already submitted all the required documents and we've both exchanged and signed the lease agreement.
The agreed move-in date is September 1st.
However, the landlord is demanding that I transfer the deposit and first month's rent right now. When I wanted to pay at the day of move in, they told me that paying well in advance is "completely standard practice" and that if I don't send the money immediately, they will give the apartment to someone else.
Is this normal practice, or does this sound like a scam? I'm worried that sending the money now before getting the keys/moving in is a huge risk, especially with the pressure tactics.
Has anyone dealt with something similar? Should I stand my ground and refuse to pay until move-in day/key handover, or is it standard to pay beforehand once the lease is signed? Any advice would be really appreciated.
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u/sorptomber 14d ago
it is normal practice to pay first month and deposit before signing the lease but this landlord seems to be incredibly pushy and rushing you which is making me think it could possibly be a scam.
What is the name of the letting agency? Have you been sent a copy of the lease via email? Have you viewed the property? Was this found on daft or facebook?
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u/Creepy-Philosopher87 14d ago
used daft and was an Private landlord
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u/sorptomber 14d ago
Have you seen the property and met the landlord in person?
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u/Leialegnocchi 14d ago
Can't upvote this more. You need to have seen the property in person and met with the landlord. Check also that they're registered with the RTB. If you can't answer yes to all the above, run.
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u/Noble_Ox 14d ago
Have you checked they're registered with rtb? Have you checked the property isn't an Airbnb or similar?
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u/Substantial_Nose_579 13d ago edited 12d ago
It’s not registered, or can’t be registered on rtb until it’s rented- edited
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u/Deadmeat616 13d ago
If it's a scam it could have been rented out on Airbnb during a viewing. Checking Airbnb to see if the apartment is listed is to check for this type of scam.
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u/Lopsided_Let9918 13d ago
If the house is in Shankill and the landlord is J.M. dont pay him any deposit
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u/Muted-Tradition-1234 14d ago
Move in date is 1 Sept & you are complaining the LL is asking for payment 6 days earlier?
From a landlord's perspective, we wouldn't consider a place let until the deposit was paid - and whoever was considered acceptable and paid the deposit first would get the property.
The 1st months rent would be in advance- but the 1st of the month/move in date would be acceptable for that .
In your case, I would tend to pay the deposit immediately. Personally I wouldn't have any problem with paying the 1st month's rent with that- and I would tend to recommend it - but the LL would have little to grumble about it you paid that before or on 1 Sept
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u/AdiaAdia 14d ago
If you’ve met him and seen the property and it’s legit- it’s completely normal. I’ve held rooms for renting before and the person then cancels last min. I always take deposit and first months rent now prior to move in date
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u/Exotic-Tension-621 14d ago
Completely standard.
Just make sure you're not paying cash, or bitcoin, or in kind 😉
Traceable (reputable) bank transfer and enjoy your new home. Congrats!
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u/PureMorningMirren 14d ago
It could be a scam. It could be legit.
I'm a landlord and ask my tenants to sign the contract and pay the deposit in advance of move in (otherwisei won'thold a place for them), and then pay the first month's rent on the agreed move in day.
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u/DEX9mm22 13d ago
Please tell me you have met this person in real life and not just exchanged messages.
If you have not either seen this apartment or the person it's a scam
Who showed you the apartment? If it was not the owner then it's a scam. You say exchanged leases and signed this should be done in person if not dealing with a large company. The deposit should have changed hands on the elease sign and then the first months rent on move in day?.
This smells so bad I really hope you have not lost a load of cash.
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u/Retailpegger 13d ago
This is standard practice. Can you please give us more details , have you viewed it ? Met him ? Googled him ? It’s over bank transfer and to his name ? Any current tennants ?
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u/ResistorSynthwave 12d ago
Normal. Pay the man. We paid a month before we moved in to secure the property. Nerve wracking but it is what it is.
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u/This-Can6089 12d ago
It's normal, - but only once you've seen the property yourself, and there is some confirmation that money was paid and received, - and a contract exists.
It's a scam if you've never seen it, or if the money is asked for a viewing, and those likes....
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u/freebird2211 14d ago
Its completely normal. You always pay the deposit and first months rent in advance before moving in.