I am helping a friend to relocate and have been viewing rental properties. I saw a place last Tuesday and send some feedback with pics etc to follow. She called the agency straight away to register an interest. The agency told her she should pay a holding fee to secure herself as a definitely interested party and that they would get a decision from the landlord on Thursday.
She didn’t get a decision Thursday or Friday, but was told it was between them and one other party. She still has no news and is beginning to think they are just trying to string her along to make her say ‘no’ so that they can keep the holding deposit.
To be honest I had no idea holding deposits existed and I can see no reason why she should need one as it doesn’t seem to gain any advantage. But I think she was starting to panic a bit about finding somewhere and the agency advised it. But for her it was only on the basis she would get a quick decision.
Does anyone know the legality behind these or have any useful suggestions? It is quite a bit of money she has put down so she doesn’t want to lose it. Can we set a deadline? Surely it is unreasonable to just string her along indefinitely!