[dyozh]

Hello -

After quite a bit of searching, I've found a nice looking apartment in a new building downtown that's available from the first day I arrive in Auckland. Speaking with the realtor for the flat, she's said that I will need to wire 3 weeks rent bond, first 2 weeks rent, and the let fee to an account number that she's emailed me along with the tenancy agreement.

Reluctant as I usually am to send large sums of money to unknown bank account numbers owned by people I've never met over 10,000 km away, I thought I'd check with the ENZ community & ask whether or not this sounds fishy or if this is just the way it's done.

Has anyone else gone through this process? Is there a less risky way of lining this apartment up before I get down there?

Thanks!

[Oregonkiwi]

I definitely understand your reluctance - but it is usual to pay those amounts when renting a home.

I don't have any advice about renting from overseas, but if you want to tell me the name of the realtor, I can check that she's legit. (Might help put your mind at ease a bit.)

[dyozh]

The realtor's name is Christine Ryan from Domain Realty

Thanks!

[Oregonkiwi]

yep, she's a registered salesperson at a registered real estate company. :)

[dyozh]

Thanks - really appreciate it! :nice1

[swissmissdesigner]

oregonkiwi:
How do you know that?

[sizzlingbadger]

You could sign the bond now and fax back to her and ask to pay the bond and fees when you arrive in Auckland and had a check around the apartment.

[KerryS]

It's more usual to pay the letting fee to secure the apartment, and then pay the bond and advance rent on the day you move in. This is what I've done in the past when renting.

SwissMiss - I presume OreganKiwi checked the REINZ website or similar. She certainly appears on the Century website as being a realtor for the company.

[swissmissdesigner]

KerryS:
I will try out, this is great idea.
Thank you!

[dyozh]

Thanks for the info - I'll let you all know how it turns out :yes

[dyozh]

So I made it into the apartment and everything is great! Good location, brand new apartment & furniture - couldn't be happier. Maybe my suspiciousness was just my Americanism at its best. :o


Cheers,
Josh

[Oregonkiwi]

I'm glad to hear it worked out well :)