paying deposit before lease is signed

hi guys,

my father has found a property he wants to lease. The letting agency wants him to pay deposit and one months rent upfront . He hasn't yet signed a lease. Should he do this before depositing cash? [The agency has given him their bank details for him to lodge the money]. My father is concerned that if he delays he'll lose the property.

thank you

L

There should be nothing to worry about paying this deposit and rent up front, provided he gets a receipt showing proof of payment. The fact that he's dealing with a letting agency, rather than an individual should also give him more security since it'll be harder for the agency to just disappear.