Hello! Help with long term rent

[Anastasia165]

Hello, I live in UK and I am trying to find a house for me, my partner and our dog. Someone replied to my email about a flat, but he told me that he is renting the flat through Air BnB. I didn't have knowledge about that until now so I am a little bit confused. So my questions are:

-when I rent a flat through Air BnB do I have a proper contract with the owner?

-how the payment is taking place? 

-do I pay only the rent and deposit that the owner asked or are there any charges from the site??

I would appreciate it if someone who knows better can give me a piece of advice 🙂

[Roberta2]

@Anastasia165

Be carefull - there are many people using this to scam people

do not talk to people outside airbnb

do not send money outside airbnb

make sure this is a real airbnb link - not something like www.longter.airbnb.com (fake site)

do not fall for "An airbnb agent will meet you" - they do not exist.

Please search "fake listing" or "scams" on this forum - you will see many postings about the issue.

[Anastasia165]

Thanks a lot for your information! He didn't ask for money, he told me that the payment is going to be through the site and asked me for my details to add me as a potential tenant. 

He also told me that I can view the house to decide whether I would like to rent it, although he can't manage to be here for the viewing. You think this is about the "airbnb agent" you have  told me?

[Jennifer178]

Hi @Anastasia165,

This is a scam!  There is no communication through email or phone numbers before a booking is made.  On Airbnb you cannot preview a place.  No one will ask for details to add you as a tenant.  If you need a place to stay, log into Airbnb and only go through the website for all communication and finances. Good luck.