elizabeth_action

Can anyone give us some advice about paying a rental deposit from the UK direct to a landlord in Calgary. We need to book 3 weeks accommodation from where we can get ourselves sorted out. At the moment we have an offer for a place but the LL wants a deposit up front. Any advice

Essex_Man

How about just driving to a motel and paying your money when you arrive. since you have no faith in this landlord and that he might take the money and run?

http://www.bwalk.com/rental/calgary/default.asp?lng=EN This is legit landlord if your nervous handing over money admittedly you might have to sign and stay for a year. But at least you have less money worries. just a thought.

elizabeth_action

Wow, thanks. That looks promising. Can you recommend any cheap motels?

Essex_Man

No. But that is how I got started in Canada. I lived in a nice one in Kingston for 2 months. I had a double. I had little kitchen in the room a bathroom and cable TV and internet TV and 2 double beds. Very basic. It was 40 bucks a night. It was perfect for a temporary fix and flexible for quick move out.

Aviator

Not uncommon to be asked for a deposit. You could also contact Realtors who handle rentals. Doubt you would get a rental for 3 weeks though, most want minimum 6 months and if you get offered one I would be cautious. Depends what part of town you want. Google Suite Motels+Calgary, this will give quite a choice.

elizabeth_action

Can you remember which chain of motels that was?

Essex_Man

No, it wasn't a chain and I feel I should point can be more expensive. I prefer the non chain ones, B/C they cheap and you can tell pretty quickly if they are crap and you can take a look at the room before you plonk down any cash. Motels are everywhere some good. some bad. some do weekly and monthly they simple to find. You're have no worries. It's easy.

You could with Boardwalk rent a place online and arrive to Calgary and pick up the keys for the flat and move right in, if want to take a bit of risk.

justkidding

Personally, I would avoid any motels that list their address as Motel Village (Banff Trail NW).

Lots of nice motels with suites around the airport area if that is convenient for you.

Chookie

Why do you say that?

When we moved over, we stayed in one of the ones there, and it was OK - and very convenient for the Ctrain to go anywhere before we had sorted out a vehicle.

The one we stayed in was the Econolodge - basic, but OK.

lancashirebird

why not ask the landlord if they are willing to take cash when you land ???
Unless it is a rental that allows vacation stays ????

If that is the case why not ask getting there on here if they have heard of them ???
He works in the calgary area and may know of the place...
or try http://www.bbcanada.com/alberta/calgary_area/calgary

LB

terese677

i know its not in your area but our landlord accepted the deposit through paypal and we paid the balance when we arrived.
good luck

elizabeth_action

[QUOTE=Essex_Man;8042386]No, it wasn't a chain and I feel I should point can be more expensive. I prefer the non chain ones,

Can you tell me which one it was for $40 per night please? :huh

justkidding

We have had friends who have stayed there a couple of times for sports tournaments and they have had some bad experiences with disturbances in the middle of the night. Not the kids, either.

Also, a lot of times, when the police are looking for someone involved in recent crimes, they find them at Motel Village I don't know why!

elizabeth_action

I have to put in a huge mention for our forum buddy 'Getting There'. He has looked into this particular 'landlady' and has found the offer to be a scam. Thanks Eamonn, a 'big up' for you.


Now if I could just find your profile I could give you some karma...

G77

I paid our first/last deposit from the UK with my Canadian cheque book that I got via HSBC - it was a risk, but we went via a realtor that looked reputable.... It worked out in the end!