To think landlord is unfair?

[Justintimeee]

Hi,
Partner and I have seen a flat, been told it had no other offers or interest etc. landlord put the rent down for us. We've put the holding deposit down and started referencing and we advised of a move-in date of the 1st January. Landlord is now saying we have to move in before Christmas.
Can he say this and just take our holding deposit if this doesn't work for us?
It doesn't feel fair, it's a very quick moving date and we have lots planned over Christmas being away, meaning we'd have to move in within the next 10 days!
Do we have any protection here if he decides to take the holding deposit?

He just wants you to start the lease and pay rent early. I doubt he gives a fig whether you sleep there or not

It may just be that he's realised that 1st January is problematic for key handover - he may be away, or if he's using a letting agency they may be closed over Christmas. If that's the reason, hopefully he will be amenable to organising the key handover but not charging you for the extra time.

The quicker the flat is rented, the sooner he doesn’t have an empty property costing money, utilities daily charge, and council tax still needs to be paid

I took the keys of my house on the 11th of the month but I didn't physically move in until the 25th.

Don't argue, rentals are few and far between these days especially a landlord who has lowered the rent.

It’s a week - I’d just pay the extra week. You do not have to physically move in until you’re ready.

This. If it's hard to get a place and low rent maybe just do it.