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HMO - renting room - signed contract unseen

10 replies

CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 00:22

My YP is moving to another city to start first graduate job 3 hours away from home. They needed a place to live went down to view two properties but only saw one which was awful and the other agent cancelled an hour before the viewing. Against our advice they rushed into signing a property based on photos and a video. We asked them to ask if they could have a live video viewing and the agent recused this saying it was a recent video so need for live video tour. Anyway against our best advice they paid a holding deposit, then were pressurised into signing a contract and then they were pressurised into paying a months rent (still without seeing the property) which was due the on the day they collect the keys Monday but the landlord insisted they paid this before collecting the keys and looking around for the first time. Too many red flags and alarm bells for me but they think they know everything and won’t listen. I am going down with them to collect the keys and move some belongings in on Monday if it turns out to be awful and not like the photos or video do they have any rights whatsoever? Also what questions should we ask and what should we look out for or is it all too late in the day now. They are fairly tall and have an attic room which I am worried is much smaller than it looks on the photos and they may not be able to stand up in it. It has supposed to have been refurbed two months ago and no one else has meant to have lived in the room since the refurb. The kitchen diner is shared and looks nice enough on the video and photos but I imagine it won’t look as nice as that. They will be sharing the house with 6 or 7 others and will be sharing a bathroom with the room next door all other rooms have an ensuite but this is the last room. So more alarm bells.

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DiscoBob · 21/09/2025 00:29

Well I mean you don't even know the bloody thing exists?! I'd be worried about more than just it looking a bit dilapidated.

Either way I'm crossing my fingers it's actually going to be bearable.

CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 00:37

DiscoBob · 21/09/2025 00:29

Well I mean you don't even know the bloody thing exists?! I'd be worried about more than just it looking a bit dilapidated.

Either way I'm crossing my fingers it's actually going to be bearable.

Thank you I know. It is listed with an agency that a graduate my husband knows has used in another area. So it maybe ok but too many red flags for me.

It is just an absolute can of worms. They look on the bright side and sees the good in all. But I know not everything and everyone is always as it seems.

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GarlicPint · 21/09/2025 00:37

Yep, fingers crossed!

I used to do live-in jobs and had no sight of my room before starting work. They were all okay - some really very nice - except the one at Butlins, but even that was liveable. Sharing can give you a ready-made social group if you're lucky, so I do hope this turns out well for your YP.

If not, well, lesson learned.

CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 00:40

It is a 6 month contract and I think they have paid £1000 so it could be an expensive lesson.

Anyone know where they stand if they have signed a contract and it doesn’t exist, isn’t habitable (if unsanitary and or can’t stand up in it) and goodness only knows who they could be sharing with.

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CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 00:41

GarlicPint · 21/09/2025 00:37

Yep, fingers crossed!

I used to do live-in jobs and had no sight of my room before starting work. They were all okay - some really very nice - except the one at Butlins, but even that was liveable. Sharing can give you a ready-made social group if you're lucky, so I do hope this turns out well for your YP.

If not, well, lesson learned.

Thanks they had a great time at Uni in halls and in a rented house. So fingers crossed.

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CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 04:51

Anyone with any legal
knowledge please?

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GarlicPint · 21/09/2025 09:55

I understand you're worried and want to be prepared. I'm not sure how helpful this is, though! If your fears come true, you'll need specific advice depending on the problem.

Should the worst happen tomorrow, you'll be prepared enough by having a plan B. Look at legal recourse when you've got a specific complaint.

Skybluepinky · 21/09/2025 10:02

If it goes wrong seek legal advice. One of my children managed to get out of a rental due to it being advertised as in immaculate condition through out, and sockets were taped up and painted over, holes in floorboards covered in dirty carpet, massive stains on all carpets, collapsed floor boards in bedrooms, taps not secured and all dripping, handle in bath hanging off, window in lounge hanging off hinges and wouldn’t close. But they had moved in before contract started as ll wanted them in before contract and money was paid to letting agency.

CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 10:45

Thanks its just with us being so far away and I imagine tomorrow the person giving the keys out will talk very fast and take off very quickly (before we have had a chance to properly check anything). I really hope I am wrong but just wanted to know what we can do if its bad. DH and YP wants us to take most things down tomorrow and they will move in properly with a rucksack just over a week later.

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CharlieChaplin99 · 21/09/2025 10:46

Also judging by some of the emails YP has read out could be a language barrier.

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