Rent and the first third of the deposit are due with the start date of the contract, but there’s a grace period of three days. Landlords typically sign a contract with you well in advance – that protects *both sides*, as otherwise either of you can go “what contract?” up until the day the contract starts, which would leave them without a tenant on the day from which they are expecting rent payments.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they are scammers, though, at least if you have actually seen the flat and met them. They may just be small landlords DIY-ing things who have a rather overblown perception of their legal rights.
As long as you have a signed contract when you hand over the deposit, theres nothing to worry about. Paying the deposit in cash is also not very uncommon. Just make sure you get a receipt.
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Well, that isn’t true.
Rent and the first third of the deposit are due with the start date of the contract, but there’s a grace period of three days. Landlords typically sign a contract with you well in advance – that protects *both sides*, as otherwise either of you can go “what contract?” up until the day the contract starts, which would leave them without a tenant on the day from which they are expecting rent payments.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they are scammers, though, at least if you have actually seen the flat and met them. They may just be small landlords DIY-ing things who have a rather overblown perception of their legal rights.
As long as you have a signed contract when you hand over the deposit, theres nothing to worry about. Paying the deposit in cash is also not very uncommon. Just make sure you get a receipt.