Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think they don’t have an empty apartment? Help I need advice.

63 replies

favouriteflowers · 10/08/2026 17:34

Daughter is moving to Manchester from Ireland. 1 she choose an apartment nd paid the holding deposit. They did back ground checks and agreed she could rent. Said they would send rental agreements through 3 days before move in date which is 11 August.

On 6th they called and said the people who lived in the apartment decided not to leave and they offered her an alternative, she agreed on the proviso she could still move in on 11th. (New job starting the following Monday) They said they would send agreements on 7th.

This is now the 10th. The day before move in and still no agreements. No reply to various emails we sent on Friday and today. We have spent all day trying
to ring and phone just rings constantly. No answer. We are about to board an overnight ferry as this was all booked months ago when the initial apartment was booked.

AIBU to think they do not have an apartment ready? I’ve booked a hotel for one night just in case. I should say they have assured her there would be one for move in on 11th on phone but no emails or written confirmations. Phone calls are recorded does that help? I’m worried sick.

OP posts:
LucyClayton · 12/08/2026 08:40

favouriteflowers · 10/08/2026 17:34

Daughter is moving to Manchester from Ireland. 1 she choose an apartment nd paid the holding deposit. They did back ground checks and agreed she could rent. Said they would send rental agreements through 3 days before move in date which is 11 August.

On 6th they called and said the people who lived in the apartment decided not to leave and they offered her an alternative, she agreed on the proviso she could still move in on 11th. (New job starting the following Monday) They said they would send agreements on 7th.

This is now the 10th. The day before move in and still no agreements. No reply to various emails we sent on Friday and today. We have spent all day trying
to ring and phone just rings constantly. No answer. We are about to board an overnight ferry as this was all booked months ago when the initial apartment was booked.

AIBU to think they do not have an apartment ready? I’ve booked a hotel for one night just in case. I should say they have assured her there would be one for move in on 11th on phone but no emails or written confirmations. Phone calls are recorded does that help? I’m worried sick.

It sounds like you might have been scammed.. Ring the police in England and see what they say. Unless they're a useless company. I how you get it sorted. It's a right carry on what's happening with you guys

LilySLE · 11/08/2026 23:08

BirdLandedonmyHead · 10/08/2026 18:32

Periodic tenacies no longer exist. The tenant has to chose fo terminate.

Periodic tendencies are the only thing that still exists as far as residential tenancies are concerned. No more ASTs - assured periodic instead

ReadingSoManyThreads · 11/08/2026 22:30

@favouriteflowers what happened, did it all get sorted today? Hope you're both ok

7planeteclipse · 11/08/2026 22:20

There are lots of scammers on the internet

People who copy photos of existing properties
Supply a contract
Take deposit
But the property either does not exist or is already lived in.

Suggest go to an estate agenty in person

View the property in person

Brucebogtrotter257 · 11/08/2026 21:39

Try open rent my sister was housed in two days .

MibsXX · 11/08/2026 21:38

Unblushingly · 10/08/2026 19:37

Yes, but you rent an Airbnb or something and look around yourself after you get there! Madness to rent somewhere sight unseen!

Not everyone can afford to do that

worldshottestmom · 11/08/2026 21:35

Besidemyselfwithworry · 10/08/2026 19:28

Why on earth would someone agree to rent somewhere, pay a deposit, without actually viewing it?????

I rented for years and I would never have done this!

Very standard in a large city. Costs a fortune to get from i.e. the centre of Manchester to Wilmslow. Travel time is very long, too. Video viewings are much easier in this instance and have been very popular since Covid. Though I agree, I would still ideally always view the property first. Videos and photos can be deceiving! Plus it's nice just to get a feel for the property, too.

worldshottestmom · 11/08/2026 21:32

I have dealt with a range of manchester landlords and estate agents and will say what has most likely happened is that there is no apartment, and they told her that there was to retain the deposit and first months rent. Then when something comes up will contact you to say it's ready. Have had this happen to me before and it's an utter disgrace. They just do it so they don't lose the funds and have you go elsewhere. Really hope they come through OP but ngl it's a pretty terrible agency. I would be looking elsewhere right now and then contact them for the deposit etc back immediately. She should have never paid a deposit etc without being on the lease first, either. All very sus

Thegreatestgroaner · 11/08/2026 20:37

Did you manage to sort it out today?

riceuten · 11/08/2026 19:09

Was it really cheap ? It could well be a scam and there is no apartment

Hoppinggreen · 11/08/2026 15:23

I have been doing viewings with a client in another Northern City today, 3 of our viewings cancelled this morning and one just as we arrived at the property. I have been in Relocation for 10 years and I have never seen it this bad
I hope your DD did get her keys OP, please make sure she does a thorough Inventory check and highlight anything incorrect in writing within 10 days

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 11/08/2026 11:23

Hope all goes well today

Dublassie · 10/08/2026 23:23

Rental market in Ireland is insane !!! Impossible to find accommodation anywhere.

favouriteflowers · 10/08/2026 22:41

She had missed out on 11
previous apartments because she was travelling to view and often before she could get over they had gone. So had to resort to video viewings. Manchester rental market is like nothing we have seen here in Ireland.

OP posts:
Besidemyselfwithworry · 10/08/2026 20:30

Things are different now aren’t they? I just think it’s a massive risk!

Proteinpudding · 10/08/2026 20:03

Besidemyselfwithworry · 10/08/2026 19:28

Why on earth would someone agree to rent somewhere, pay a deposit, without actually viewing it?????

I rented for years and I would never have done this!

In Manchester the competition for properties is so high that doing this is common, even for people who live locally. My work colleague did this after finding out that the properties she was looking at were getting 30+ applicants just from those registered with the agency, before they had been advertised, ie just the agent telling those registered basic details before the adverts were live.
I wouldn't have done it myself when I was renting, but the experience of renting has changed so much those who are renting now don't really have a choice.

watchingthishtread · 10/08/2026 19:44

I'm sorry OP. It's not happening. There is no apartment ready to move into tomorrow.

AlphaApple · 10/08/2026 19:42

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/08/2026 19:34

Because they moving country.

My DD is trying to move country and find a rental. She’s come across a lot of scammers. She’s asking for a live video walk through as proof the place exists.

Unblushingly · 10/08/2026 19:37

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/08/2026 19:34

Because they moving country.

Yes, but you rent an Airbnb or something and look around yourself after you get there! Madness to rent somewhere sight unseen!

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/08/2026 19:34

Besidemyselfwithworry · 10/08/2026 19:28

Why on earth would someone agree to rent somewhere, pay a deposit, without actually viewing it?????

I rented for years and I would never have done this!

Because they moving country.

Friendlygingercat · 10/08/2026 19:30

They have a nice looking website but I dont see the name of their regulator which by law should be at the top of their website. They specialise in student lets.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 10/08/2026 19:28

Why on earth would someone agree to rent somewhere, pay a deposit, without actually viewing it?????

I rented for years and I would never have done this!

Roseonthebalcony · 10/08/2026 19:26

This is so weird, has she not seen photos or got an address???

favouriteflowers · 10/08/2026 19:22

@HoppinggreenIs there any possibility we could still get the keys tomorrow? We have the car parking sorted etc. I am hoping it’s just admin slowness.

OP posts:
UpDownAllAround1 · 10/08/2026 19:05

Deleted