Paris Apartment - Residential Application
Sep 1st, 2010, 12:37 PM
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Paris Apartment - Residential Application
Hi
I do hope you helpful people can offer me advice once more, some of you may recall my recent posting on the problems experienced trying to establish what was a genuine apartment for Rent and what was a scam, well perhaps I am just paranoid but having seen on the web an apartment and obtained all the necessary details, it seems perfect for a Long term Let, and on confirming that we would Rent it, the owner is asking that money should be lodged in advance of us arriving in Paris, directly into an account held by her solicitor (name as yet unknown), but to be furnished the day prior to our arrival, which doesn`t leave a lot of time to check it out to ensure it is genuine. We have been advised by the owner that this is normal practice in France. Is anyone familiar with such a request? We had offered to pay in advance by credit card or in cash once we were actually in the apartment and had confirmed that all was as described, but this was not acceptable. Am I being paranoid? or does this sound too risky? Does anyone have any suggestions of alternative method of paying that would satisfy both parties concerned?
Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Silversands.
I do hope you helpful people can offer me advice once more, some of you may recall my recent posting on the problems experienced trying to establish what was a genuine apartment for Rent and what was a scam, well perhaps I am just paranoid but having seen on the web an apartment and obtained all the necessary details, it seems perfect for a Long term Let, and on confirming that we would Rent it, the owner is asking that money should be lodged in advance of us arriving in Paris, directly into an account held by her solicitor (name as yet unknown), but to be furnished the day prior to our arrival, which doesn`t leave a lot of time to check it out to ensure it is genuine. We have been advised by the owner that this is normal practice in France. Is anyone familiar with such a request? We had offered to pay in advance by credit card or in cash once we were actually in the apartment and had confirmed that all was as described, but this was not acceptable. Am I being paranoid? or does this sound too risky? Does anyone have any suggestions of alternative method of paying that would satisfy both parties concerned?
Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Silversands.
Sep 1st, 2010, 12:44 PM
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Can't help you with that one regarding long term rentals, but it is completely normal for any apartment owner to ask for a deposit in advance before booking anything for you. No apt owner is going to reserve you an apt. without you paying something in deposit. Now that is the norms for vacation apartments, of course.
IN your case, I dont' understand why someone would insist you pay a deposit before seeing a place for longterm rental, before you arrive in the country. What if you already lived there and wanted to see a place before deciding? It makes no sense to me at all and I would not agree to it.
Of course, I would not expect them to hold it for you, if someone came along and rented it, that would be too bad. However you seem to want it held for you until you see it, without paying any money, and I don't blame them for refusing to do that. I think they also want to make sure your check doesn't bounce and that you have a valid credit card. Look at all the poeple on Fodors who try to refuse payment on credit cards when they decide they don't like something.
I don't see why they wouldn't accept cash on arrival after you see it, without agreeing to hold it for you, though. SInce this is long term, there may be some immigration issues I don't know about, however, and requirements to establish that you are not a deadbeat for visas, etc.
IN your case, I dont' understand why someone would insist you pay a deposit before seeing a place for longterm rental, before you arrive in the country. What if you already lived there and wanted to see a place before deciding? It makes no sense to me at all and I would not agree to it.
Of course, I would not expect them to hold it for you, if someone came along and rented it, that would be too bad. However you seem to want it held for you until you see it, without paying any money, and I don't blame them for refusing to do that. I think they also want to make sure your check doesn't bounce and that you have a valid credit card. Look at all the poeple on Fodors who try to refuse payment on credit cards when they decide they don't like something.
I don't see why they wouldn't accept cash on arrival after you see it, without agreeing to hold it for you, though. SInce this is long term, there may be some immigration issues I don't know about, however, and requirements to establish that you are not a deadbeat for visas, etc.
Sep 1st, 2010, 03:13 PM
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Thanks for replying Christina. We dont need a visa we are EU citizens, also owner has details of French company who will be employer and can vouch for salary, so that`s not the concern. We have booked apartments in UK; Asia; Spain; USA over the years but this is an absolute first being asked to deposit money within Solicitors Bank account. I`m nervous about sending thousands of euros into a bank account and then that person disappears before we have even arrived in France. If there was a sort of Paypal system that would be perfect, do you know if such a system exists in France within the property letting sector?
Sep 1st, 2010, 03:39 PM
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Agree that it is not reasonable to expect a landlord to take their property off the market without some assurance that you will actually occupy it, especially in a market like Paris were housing is at a premium. That said, what sort of contract is being offered to go with this escrow deposit? Suppose you do decide you don't like the place - how much (if anything) of your deposit is refundable? On what terms/time line?
Since you have an employer, could you check with them to determine if this is standard practice? Maybe even see if there is anyone willing to actually visit the apartment and report back to you?
Quite honestly, for a long term let I would be reluctant to agree to anything sight unseen. If at all possible I'd make a trip to check out potential properties.
Since you have an employer, could you check with them to determine if this is standard practice? Maybe even see if there is anyone willing to actually visit the apartment and report back to you?
Quite honestly, for a long term let I would be reluctant to agree to anything sight unseen. If at all possible I'd make a trip to check out potential properties.
Sep 2nd, 2010, 07:42 AM
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Another scam! Employer arranged for someone to go round to the apartment to view it this afternoon but it was yet another scam. Are there no genuine flats for longer term rent in Paris??????? This one was a clever scam, a genuine adress, spoke on the phone saying she wanted a good tenant, asked for references that could be contacted; then said deposit of two months rent, plus one months rent had to be paid into Solicitors bank account, but when asked for solicitors name and details she then sent an email saying "Just send it Western Union into my bank account" PAPVacancies.fr anyone else dealt with owners on this site? Where oh where in Paris can you get an apartment to rent not for a two week vacation but for at least three months. This will be the 7th scam now in a period of two weeks! In all my years of renting accommodation on different continents around the world I have never came across anything like this.
Sep 2nd, 2010, 08:00 AM
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Where are you looking for apartments - Craigslist? Since you already live and work in EU, then I would try to find a good broker, VRBO, Paris attitude, etc. or do a google search for long term apartment rental in Paris. I have used http://www.homelidays.co.uk twice with success. I booked a studio three years ago off of craigslist and it is a wonderful studio. However, I have a friend who lives in Paris go around and see the apt before I sent any money. She reported back that it was satifactory. When I got that report, I booked it.
Once I found 5 or 6 apts that I liked, I would take a trip to Paris or have your company send someone to each address the same weekend and view them. They could them report back to you on the condition, location, etc.of the apt. or you could see the apt. and book it then.
Do you want a nice studio or a fancy-smancy apt? What is your price range?
If you want a basic studio, look at Nadine's Studio 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre/Opera
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com
Once I found 5 or 6 apts that I liked, I would take a trip to Paris or have your company send someone to each address the same weekend and view them. They could them report back to you on the condition, location, etc.of the apt. or you could see the apt. and book it then.
Do you want a nice studio or a fancy-smancy apt? What is your price range?
If you want a basic studio, look at Nadine's Studio 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre/Opera
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com
