some trepidation

I've been thinking a lot about the apartment I agreed to move into next Monday, and I'm having some serious misgivings. I suppose they were there all along, but having two Swedes say that my concerns are valid has made me rethink the entire situation.

I was told that since I have no personnumber it's impossible for my credit to be checked, and that a deposit must be placed. That's fair and was completely expected. I simply do not understand why the deposit needs to be three months of rent, in advance. According to my landlord, this money will not be used toward rent, but will be held by him until I move out, at which point I'll get it back. He says this is a security measure for him since he can't check my credit. he has made it a point to tell me several different times that this is how things are done in Sweden, which I find to be complete bullshit upon recollection because I've spoken to potential landlords in the past and none have ever required three months' rent in advance. One month, yes, as that seems pretty standard, but three? Plus the first month along with that, making the total 12,000SEK before I can even move in?

What's bothering me is that it seems like a fairly steep amount for a deposit, especially one that will not be used toward the rent at all. I'm no stranger to deposits, but i think this one is unreasonable. I just looked over the rental contract and there is no mention of this deposit amount AT ALL. Nowhere on the contract is a deposit mentioned that I can see (it's in Swedish) and if it is, the amount isn't written down. Anywhere. So basically, I have no legal recourse if he chooses not to give it back to me when I move out. That's quite a bit of money to simply give to someone and trust his word on. He's already stretched the truth a bit by telling me that this is standard procedure in Sweden. From what I'm hearing, it's not. It may be HIS policy, but it's not "how we do things in Sweden."

This man is running his own business and I understand he needs to take safety measures. That's fine with me. I just don't want to be taken advantage of since I'm a foreigner and he feels like he can pass this off as a standard thing because I don't know any better. He seems like a decent guy. I don't know that he wouldn't give me the deposit back, but not having it even mentioned anywhere on the contract is sending up MAJOR red flags. I was also told as an aside that the girl currently renting there wants to switch her cable service into my name. That seems a bit fishy to me. That plus the fact that there would be so many extra expenses with this place are making me seriously reconsider renting there. I might be better served looking for a more short-term thing for now and paying month to month without such a huge deposit right up front. Don't know, but at least I have the hostel until then. Gah. lol

some trepidation

I've been thinking a lot about the apartment I agreed to move into next Monday, and I'm having some serious misgivings. I suppose they were there all along, but having two Swedes say that my concerns are valid has made me rethink the entire situation.

I was told that since I have no personnumber it's impossible for my credit to be checked, and that a deposit must be placed. That's fair and was completely expected. I simply do not understand why the deposit needs to be three months of rent, in advance. According to my landlord, this money will not be used toward rent, but will be held by him until I move out, at which point I'll get it back. He says this is a security measure for him since he can't check my credit. he has made it a point to tell me several different times that this is how things are done in Sweden, which I find to be complete bullshit upon recollection because I've spoken to potential landlords in the past and none have ever required three months' rent in advance. One month, yes, as that seems pretty standard, but three? Plus the first month along with that, making the total 12,000SEK before I can even move in?

What's bothering me is that it seems like a fairly steep amount for a deposit, especially one that will not be used toward the rent at all. I'm no stranger to deposits, but i think this one is unreasonable. I just looked over the rental contract and there is no mention of this deposit amount AT ALL. Nowhere on the contract is a deposit mentioned that I can see (it's in Swedish) and if it is, the amount isn't written down. Anywhere. So basically, I have no legal recourse if he chooses not to give it back to me when I move out. That's quite a bit of money to simply give to someone and trust his word on. He's already stretched the truth a bit by telling me that this is standard procedure in Sweden. From what I'm hearing, it's not. It may be HIS policy, but it's not "how we do things in Sweden."

This man is running his own business and I understand he needs to take safety measures. That's fine with me. I just don't want to be taken advantage of since I'm a foreigner and he feels like he can pass this off as a standard thing because I don't know any better. He seems like a decent guy. I don't know that he wouldn't give me the deposit back, but not having it even mentioned anywhere on the contract is sending up MAJOR red flags. I was also told as an aside that the girl currently renting there wants to switch her cable service into my name. That seems a bit fishy to me. That plus the fact that there would be so many extra expenses with this place are making me seriously reconsider renting there. I might be better served looking for a more short-term thing for now and paying month to month without such a huge deposit right up front. Don't know, but at least I have the hostel until then. Gah. lo