AIBU to be suspicious of this LL?

[Nicebucket]

In case anyone has followed my previous thread about my flat hunt, I've finally found a place that seems suitable.

The rent is within my budget and inclusive of all bills. The area is also fab!

But

There had to be a catch :-(

The landlord wants the rent ONLY via cash or cheque. For reasons I cannot understand, he is unwilling accept payment via bank transfer.

I found this a bit dodgy! The guy i spoke to is the property manager, who manages and maintains flats for the landlord. He's the one who collects rent etc. and he is saying the landlord won't accept bank transfers, and he prefers cash/cheque.

I found out about this guy via an agency and he rents properties via the agency as well. I've dealt with that agency before and I know they're all right. But this particular flat is not being let via the agency (which I dint kind because it saves me money on agency fees)

He's willing to give me signed receipts for the cash and the cheques are all recorded anyway.

I still find this dodgy! Clearly he has a bank account, which is how he'd cash the cheques. So why can't I make a transfer to that account? And the cash is even dodgier! Surely he's trying to evade tax or worse?

Would you do it? Would you agree to pay rent only via cash/cheque?

In case this LL is dodging tax, or doing something criminal could I get into legal trouble for it?

I know I could keep looking for something else, but I've really struggled and I couldn't find anything as nice as this for the price :-(

[Nicebucket]

Argh, you misunderstand! I don't want to go ahead. I'd spend the next six months worrying.

I'm just completely out of other options.

[Nicebucket]

I'm looking, but hinestly is is supposed to be this hard? Every time I find something that looks suitable, there's something wrong with it.

I'm looking for an affordable studio in a safe area for 6 months.

Any suggestions welcome!

[Hesalovernotabiter]

Could this property manager be taking a little bit of 'commission' before passing on the remainder to your land lord?

[Nicebucket]

Well, I wouldn't be surprised.

I got this guy's number from an agency I've used before and he told me not to tell them

He said he's being able to offer it cheaper because he's not giving the agency their fees so that's why we can't involve them.

[Nicebucket]

The more I say it out loud, the worse it sounds.

[Nicebucket]

Does anyone have any suggestions about alternative options? I've got a week to find a flat. Please help

[TheOriginalWinkly]

This flat is a terrible idea. Truly terrible. It screams scam.

Why not look further out? On right move there are some very nice studios in Walthamstow for less than £800 a month; Walthamstow is very up and coming and fast into central London on the Victoria line.

[WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere]

Where are you looking? Where is Queensway?

[Nicebucket]

Queensway is near Bayswater and Lancaster gate.

Honestly, I'm looking everywhere. Anywhere that is affordable and safe...

[TheOriginalWinkly]

Most of London is really quite safe, to be fair.

[Nicebucket]

Really? Even places like Peckham, new cross, Woolwich?

[WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere]

Why are you looking in Central London, it'll cost you a fortune for not much.

Have you actually been round letting agents?

[WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere]

And a week is nothing in London, accommodation gets snapped up.

[Nicebucket]

Yes, of course I have.

I'm not actively looking in central London- the Queensway flat just came up and was affordable at £950 a month. But no, I'm not looking in those areas.

Honestly, what are the cheaper areas of London anyway?

[Nicebucket]

I've been looking for 4 weeks.

[Konserve]

yes, peckham and woolwich are ok. even lewisham.
well some areas/estates aren't but that's the case even in kensington...

plus great transport links.
keep an open mind.

good luck.

[Nicebucket]

I've been looking in places close to work, but they're still so expensive. Anything in the DLR is shockingly expensive because all the bankers want to stay there.

I've looked in ilford, Lewisham, hither green...

[TheOriginalWinkly]

Woolwich, round the arsenal especially, has been developed lots lately. New Cross is full of Goldsmiths students, though I personally wouldn't live in Deptford. I used to live in Catford very near Lewisham, it's not 'naice' but I lived there for 5 years and had zero problems. Walthamstow is up and coming and on the tube, that's where I would look if it was me.

[WhatTheJeffHasGoneOnHere]

Which area is more commutable? Have you looked south? I used to live in sw London and loved it. Good train links to Waterloo.

[TheOriginalWinkly]

Where in London do you work?

[Konserve]

I just typed woolwich + 3 miles into rightmove and got lots of results under 1000pm.

[adeleNazeem]

www.spareroom.co.uk

despite the name, this also has studios & 1 bed flats

[Nicebucket]

I work in Canary wharf.

[Nicebucket]

By the way, I to,d that guy I don't want the flat and he has refused to refund my £200.

That's a lot of money to me. I don't mean to be dramatic, but I'm literally crying because I need that money.

[Cabrinha]

£200 not £150?
They've probably taken £200 off 20 people and made £4000. There's your scam.

Were you told it was a non returnable deposit? If not, you could certainly report it to the police, though I'm not sure how far that would get you. If they have no proof it's a non returnable deposit, you could try the small claims court perhaps? If they're scamming lots of people, you may find they refund you as a "one off" to avoid closer interest.

It's possible the one who works for an agency that you can't tell the agency, borrows keys for properties that are between tenants?

You should at least speak to his (old?) agency.

Hope you have some luck with the areas suggested here.