To pay rent and deposit before tenancy agreement signed?

[blingblongbling]

Letting agency are asking us to pay the deposit and rent before tenancy agreement has been signed. I believe this is a big no no and won't be paying until signed agreement t is in place. Can anyone advise please?

Anyone?

As a landlord, I require the deposit to be paid at the time I agree to rent to a tenant, with the 1st month rent due at or before signing the tenancy agreement.

I believe this is pretty standard.

If you have further concerns, maybe ask at Landlord Zone or similar forums. Or consult Shelter.

Thanks @FlowerArranger. From what I have been able to establish, asking for a deposit or rental payment before signing a contract is prohibited in law and would be classed as a prohibited payment and as such would be refundable the same as holding deposits.

It's all supposed to happen at the same time isn't it? I'm sure you normally go sign the agreement and pay while you're there so neither party is disadvantaged

Copy of contract & details to be read before signing next day sign contract & pay by cash or instantaneous bank transfer in the bank working hours ?

There was a discussion about this on NRLA forum
they refer to landlord zone discussion -basically the concern is about a tenant moving in & not paying rent
So deposit can be paid ahead & go straight into My Deposit which is protected & only for the tenant & not accessible for landlord
There are dishonest & bad LL but there are also a few dishonest tenants who will take advantage so both as pp states need to work to make sure neither is disadvantaged
The answer is not very clear & up to debate

Like hell would I ever give full rent and deposit to a landlord before signing a contract!!!! I've always done a holding deposit when I put an offer (usually 1 week) then sign contract then full deposit and 1 month rent upfront. But I'm giving them my money due to a contract we have, not as a random present!

Also what would happen if they just didn't give you the contract? So they would just have your money and you would have no enforceable tenancy? Don't do it

i let a few houses...its all done at same time with the agency.

I'm pretty sure when the contract is signed paymentvus made. I certainly wouldn't hand over thousands without a contract.i let out five properties and never have had money without contract.
Possibly a holding deposit may be paid?

We have just signed a lease. Exactly the same as @flowers500 said - we paid a holding deposit, had all the reference checks done etc, when they were FINALLY done we had a contract to sign and then we had to pay our deposit and first month's rent (no less than 48 hours before collecting key). I wouldn't not feel comfortable paying anything other than holding deposit with no contract!