We need to wire money to the account given to us by the booking agent this weekend.

We are a little hesitant since the agent said to wire the money THEN they will send the contract.

Is that putting the cart before the horse?

Shouldn't we have the contract and booking details PRIOR to wiring the money? [I'm not talking about the booking terms and agreement information -- we have that and it's generic not specific to our time period and apartment]

What has your experience been?

Thanks.

I could be wrong, but didn't you just ask this question a short time ago? I remember responding to it, as did others. If it wasn't you, it must be someone else using the same company.

As I said, no, of course it isn't normal. Why would you do such a thing.

hi, seetheworld,

i would feel a bit iffy about sending money before I saw the contract too.

no reason why they shouldn't let you see it beforehand, IMO.

I've only rented a few times, but always saw the terms and conditions before I sent any money.


who are these people and where are you renting?

regards, ann

No, no, that wasn't me who asked. DH and I know it is not right to do that, that is why we are questioning it (please attach the link to that thread so I can read it, Christina).

I have the terms and agreement information which tells me what all about the cancellation policy and phone policy, etc. But it doesn't specify the flat itself (location), dates. I have that in an informal email.

It is a VRBO which is handled through London Property Management (I get emails from Dreamstravel). I don't think it is a large firm, just two women, but that would not be uncommon. The bank is in Scotland (and is legit according to my BIL).

I am calling tomorrow morning to let them know that we require a completed contract before wiring the full amount.

I can't think of a legitimate reason to expect full payment before sending a contract. Let us know what they say!

I would never rent an apartment without knowing the street address, the floor and required things like elevators, AC/heat, linens, etc.

I would also never send a 100% deposit, 10-20%, but not 100. That just sounds too weird for me. Too many places to rent to need to do that.

The only time I ever did anything similar was when I did a Priceline bid on a London hotel. At least I could choose the supposed star rating and general area. I lucked up with Thistle Charing Cross for under $100 per night, whew.

dave

Here's the thing with the payment. They give a 5% discount for paying in full, otherwise it is 50% now and 50% 8 weeks before arrival. Eight weeks before arrival is in 4 weeks. So it would make sense to save nearly $200 bucks.

I have all of the aparment information, it's just not all in one place that's why we would like it in the contract before sending money.

I know this is done all the time in Europe -- my S&BIL do it with their rental condo -- we are just not used to sending so much money with no credit card company to back us up!

hi, seetheworld,

technically, even if you have the info in several different places, that is all you need to constitute a contract in english law.

but I well understand why you would want it all in one place before paying 50% - after all you aren't going to be suing on Christmas Day!

no reason why they can't put it all together, IMO.

regards, ann

hi Ann,

Thanks. I hate to be so untrusting, but we are talking a great sum of money. I'm sure a phone call will fix everything. DH asked several times whether they realized we would be arriving Christmas Eve for the key delivery. They assured us someone would be there. Of course I did not help matters by saying that we would just break a window to get in.

New experiences are both exciting and nerve inducing crazy.

Ask them for an unsigned copy of the contract, setting foth the booking and cancellation conditions, etc. You need to review that before you send the $$.

Hi S,

>I have all of the aparment information, it's just not all in one place ...

No wish to upset you, but if you check the small print in the contract, you are quite likely to find that it says that you can be given a different, equivalent apt.

This has been reported here on past posts, when the booked apt has turned out to be unavailable.

Ira, thank you, I think?!

<i>London Property Management makes arrangements with private homes, rental units, houses, airlines, hotels, transportation and tour companies and other suppliers over whom we have no control In the absence of neglect on our part, we are not responsible for claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident, death, damage, loss or delay of baggage or other property; nor for delay, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration, whether mental or physical, resulting from the act, or omission, of any of these parties. <b>Right is reserved to cancel any itinerary if deemed necessary and in the best interest of our clients.</b> We will try to keep itineraries as booked except in cases of absolute necessity. The passage contract in use by airlines, car companies, train and other independent parties shall constitute sole contract between them and the purchaser, and his or her passengers (including private guides, limousines, etc.)</i>

Is this standard business practice for rentals in England?

Should I request references? If I do, I may just lose the flat. If I don't...???

hi, seetheworld,

I haven't read many of these contracts, but what they seem to be saying is that if the owner of the flat pulls out, there's not much they can do about it. your contract is with the owner, not them, and they, the agent, are not liable for any losses, etc.

you're spending a lot of money - for the sake of your peace of mind, I'd ask for references. I can't see anywhere that they are obliged to find you another apartment!

regards, ann

&quot;They give a 5% discount for paying in full, otherwise it is 50% now and 50% 8 weeks before arrival. Eight weeks before arrival is in 4 weeks. So it would make sense to save nearly $200 bucks.&quot;

Rings alarm bells in the whole &quot;too good to be true&quot; sense.
Why would it benefit them to receive the whole amount upfront (so much so that they offer a discount), apart from if they were going to rip you off and leg it.
You should try looking on some British government websites for this company and do a serious background check.

Sorry travel buzzing, as someone who manages several properties in France, I can assure you that it is very common to ask for full payment before arrival. Unlike hotels, which have some hope of renting a room to someone else if you cancel, house owners/managers often would find if virtually impossible to re-rent a house 6-8 weeks before the scheduled arrival date.

They may well give a discount for full payment because of bank charges on their end - we have to pay 25-30 euros even on a bank draft made out in euros if it isn't through a French bank.

I do also know people who are loath to give an address before people have at least paid a deposit

well good luck to them..

Somehow lost the end of my last sentence, which is that people sometimes fear that by giving an address over the Internet before anyone has paid might lead to thieves arriving at a house they suspect will be empty. Not necessarily logical, but it does happen.

travel_buzzing, I am a step ahead (see thread on BBB in UK).

Hi Ann, a fellow poster had an interesting experience with the managing agency and one of their apartments. So I found a reference right here!

carlux, I appreciate your point of view. Truthfully I would never send a deposit for an apartment prior to knowing the location. Too much money at stake. On the other hand, many have stringent cancellation policies, which I can understand and accept.