To ask to see rental contract before I move in?

[Attethersend43]

Moving into new place this weekend and still not been sent rental contract. Deposit, first month's rent and bloody tenant fees all paid. Anything else I should ask to see? Inventory would be handy but I'm assuming will not happen!

[Rumpelstiltskin143]

TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS! Keep them somewhere safe, do the same when you move out. Then they can't gouge you for things you didn't do.

[YelloDraw]

You paid rent before singing a contract? WFT did you do that?

[Ellioru]

Why have you paid before seeing the contract?

[Attethersend43]

It's in London (I feel like this changes things - rent is required to proceed with things and was all v fast-paced). A well-known estate agents is in charge (they have been terrible though!) and have met LL, who seems v nice. EA impossible to deal with and extremely disorganised

[Attethersend43]

Bumping

[WhoseBadgerIsThis]

Inventory definitely. Who will be handing you the keys at the weekend - can you ask them to stay for a few extra minutes while you take pictures of the place/do a quick inventory. Make sure you get the confirmation that your deposit has been paid into the correct legal deposit scheme (I don't know when that is normally sent out though - it's a few years since I rented)

[Attethersend43]

Inventory will be sorted this weekend (landlord and EA rep will be at property to go through with me). Is it worth asking for an inventory now do you think? EA are stupidly disorganised (a whole other thread...) and have only just sent contract to LL to look over.

[specialsubject]

there is loads of other stuff that you need to have - check out the how to rent booklet on gov.uk (which is one of things you should be given, although a cockup with the legals means you don't get it until the day you move in...)

but I agree, what's with paying without signing the contract? London is not a separate legal entity.

big agents can be just as bad, they tend to support a lot of lazy hair-flickers.

get informed and take charge.

[Attethersend43]

Thanks, I am informed and it's really not through lack of trying! I have prodded and pushed the EA every step of the way. I just mentioned London as it's an over-heated rental market and very often tenants are pushed around and at the EA's mercy really.

Have sent them (one of many) strongly worded emails asking for rental contract before move-in date...

[Attethersend43]

Signing on move-in day btw.

[KiteCutter]

Don't just take photographs, record a full walk through, preferably with the agent present, and make sure any mark or damage is noted verbally on the recording. Load it up somewhere with a date stamp so you have proof of when it was taken.

[Bee182814]

You've effectively entered in to the contract by paying the money. There has been an offer, acceptance and consideration/payment (although this isnt uncommon in london rental market ime.)Yanbu to want to see the contract before moving in and I would insist upon it. If it's the well known london estate agents that in thinking of OP, I used to work for them and they are every bit as bad as they seem. I would ask to speak to the branch manager and insist that even if you don't sign before move in day that you have a copy to read through. I'm surprised they are happy to leave it this late tbh. They like to have all the paperwork done prior to move in date. It concerns me that they're stalling with this. They (again if it's the company I'm thinking of) have 2 hours a day set aside for doing paperwork so I fail to see how they've not managed to get it done.

[YelloDraw]

Yes the london rental market moves fast - you pay a holding deposit then go to the agency and sign the contract and pay full deposit and rent.

You need to see what terms you are signing up to.

Oh well, nothing to do for it now but next time please don't pay the full deposit without reading the contract.

[ReallyTired]

I hope the contract is a standard AST. I think that handing over any money without signing a contract is a recipe for fraud. I find it shocking that an agency will not allow you see the contract before handing monies over. From a landlord point of view it makes sense for tenants to know what they are allowed to do before they accept a property. For example pets are banned in one of flats because of conditions of the head lease. My tenants know it's the head lease that bans pets rather than me.

[Attethersend43]

Estate agents begin with W (not F) and have been an absolute fucking liability from start to finish!

Thanks, some good advice here!

[Attethersend43]

I will hound them.

We loved the property and sadly have had so many issues with EA due to referencing palavers etc (not our fault, they applied to do this v late) that contract has been last thing to get sorted. Won't let that happen again.

[Bee182814]

I didn't think the W one was quite as bad OP, sorry you've had a rough time of it....it's very unfair to you to not see it before moving in, incase there are errors and check any special clauses are worded as agreed etc. After I left the big F, I worked for another London EA doing the contracts. Although I would be happy for someone to sign on day of move in,I would always try to give them the contract to read over at least 5 working days prior if a quick turnaround and obviously more if the deal was done well in advance of the move in. I'm not sure if the individual estate agents do their own contracts at that agent or if they have a dedicated lettings coordinator. Might be worth asking to put some pressure on them.

[Attethersend43]

Thanks very much Bee. Apparently the contract is with LL now but I have asked for a draft copy at least. Hate having to prod them to do their job at every single turn! Should I ask for inventory now too or leave til move-in date? I am fairly sure I do know what will be included (confirmed in email from LL) but would be good to have an exact idea.

[Bee182814]

Inventory is usually done on day of move in and you get a copy a couple of days after. If the property is furnished, details of furnishings should be included in the contract so I would ask for that or if they're still being difficult, if they've let the property before, a copy of the inventory from the previous tenants check out maybe.

[Attethersend43]

Fab, thank you!