I am due to arrive on 27th Dec and have been in contact with someone about a possible apartment. Problem is, if he isn't put off by the fact that ideally I don't want to start the tenancy until I get there etc. then my next hurdle is supplying the deposit etc prior to my arrival. I don't have a bank yet, as this will be one of the first things I do. So if anyone has done this, how did you pay for it before arriving, if indeed you were asked to?

If you are renting an apartment sight unseen you should be very careful of scam artists. It has often happened where apartments are rented to a number of people with down payments required and the renter turns up on moving day to find the apartment is/never has been available for rent. The alleged landlord has disappeared with everyone's money.

And, if you have a dog it can be very tricky renting a nice place.

Well the guy replied and asked that I contact him when I arrive, so I think I will give up trying to get an apartment sorted from over here. Anyone ever had to get a credit report, how did you go about it? I currently have a zero balance on my credit cards etc. so do I contact them for my rating or the bank? I have seen the ads where you can go to a third party for a credit check, is this the only way?

Credit Bureaus, they will give you a report, but charge if you want your rating.

Have you used them?

I get my credit report once a year from both Translink and Equifax. You're on the UK so don't know how they operate there.

Just go to Equifax.co.uk and buy your credit report.
It'll cost you about 12 quid or something. Print it off, and hey presto.


We arranged a house rental while we were in the UK. We arrived on August 24th, started the rental on the 25th, paid for the remainder of the month, then it was monthly from there on in. We never had any issues. We paid the deposit and first months rent in cash, then it was done by direct deposit every month.

As has been mentioned, you have to be careful though because there are scams. If you're asked to pay anything by western union etc, run a mile.

As a safety net, consider going through an agency. We didnt, but at least then you know it's a legit rental.

Cheers, going to review some of the suggestions for obtaining a credit report. The guy has emailed and said he will let me know if it gets rented prior to my arrival, if so I will start searching again but going to wait until I get there now. I will have over 2 weeks to find somewhere and move in. It may mean sleeping on the floor while I wait to purchase a bed but so be it. Thanx people for all your help.

£2 if you do it by mail
https://www.econsumer.equifax.co.uk/...rning_credit14

In Canada it is free by mail once a year. They don't make it easy to find that bit though, trying to get you to pay for it for instant access.

Been on Equifax for the last 30 minutes, it keeps getting a validation error which points to my email address! Do they not like hotmail addresses because I have re-keyed it loads and its correct.

Finally got in and printed out a credit report, so thanks Aviator and espacially for the link to get this for only £2.

Hi
We rented prior to arriving in Canada, we went through a Realtor that had been recommeneded by a company (we checked out his company to ensure our money was safe) and he was very good, he went to several homes and photograaphed every room for every possible angle, we then chose one.

We had to sign paperwork in the UK which was faxed back and we did a transfer into the realtors bank (not personal account) and it was all done.
thanks
Riddle89

Hello,

Could you send me please the email address of your rental provider.
do u know somebody family friends, colleagues etc. who can rent or share an apt. I'm a newcomer and need help and advice please.


kind regards[

QUOTE=riddle89;8184240]Hi
We rented prior to arriving in Canada, we went through a Realtor that had been recommeneded by a company (we checked out his company to ensure our money was safe) and he was very good, he went to several homes and photograaphed every room for every possible angle, we then chose one.

We had to sign paperwork in the UK which was faxed back and we did a transfer into the realtors bank (not personal account) and it was all done.
thanks
Riddle89[/QUOTE]