Has anyone else who is looking to rent in London come across the £400 (or similar) deposit, refundable upon MOVE IN?? Basically you pay to view the place, so they know your not wasting their time and then get it back later.
Is this a common and safe procedure?
Would like to hear other peoples stories.

Are you saying you have to pay £400 pound just to view the place? Because I have not heard of that before and would think that isnt the way it should be done. Ive had to pay huge deposits upon signing a contract, but never paid anything just to view. What estate agents are you dealing with?

yeah they ask you to pay this deposit through some western union "secure" account system (not too sure) but then you're ment to get it back again after the viewing. They claim its because of thieves and time wasters taking them away from there jobs and then not turning up.

I've not actually gone ahead with one of these viewings because really they just sound to risky and too much hassle just to see a place. And since posting this I've heard that they are scams. They draw you in with cheap, good location rooms, with over the top pictures, that really do look too good to be true because they are and you can always tell that the ads are written by foreigners.

So fortunate for me I didn't get caught out by these guys but they much be getting some peoples money cos whilst I've been looking for only a few days now I've come across so many people trying this method.

Well im really glad you didnt do it. It sounded very dodgy and im sure it is. Even if you were to get your money back from them im sure they would keep your bank details which just isnt legal. I wouldnt deal with anyone that is asking for money before you are certain to move in. Its a shame these scams are all over the place but atleast you were alert to it and can tell other people, then im sure these guys will move on to something else

Well done for not falling for this scam. When viewing a property, you should never agree to pay for the priviledge. You have no idea who you're paying and there is no contract to safeguard you in case your money isn't returned.

When any sales/rental property is advertised, there is always the risk that some people who view might not be serious, but that's part of the marketing process - dealing with serious and not so serious potential tenants.

Well done for not going ahead with paying the viewing deposit as it would have been a very expensive mistake. Viewing and renting through private landlords (as opposed to via estate agents) always carries an element of risk, so make sure you know what your rights are and that the landlord follows the correct procedures e.g. issuing you with a fair tenancy agreement and holding your deposit in a government approved deposit scheme.