I viewed a room last week in a 2 bedroom flat. It was nice, and I agreed to take it. The lease signatories are a young couple; they took the place recently, planning to get another tenant in as soon as possible.
Ordinarily this wouldn't be a problem, but googling the letting agency shows a chequered past; XYZ Properties launched, dissolved, then XYZ Lettings was born, then dissolved. In it's latest form it isn't listed -- their website doesn't work, their landline gives a busy tone. That said, I've read the reviews, and the agency is genuine, just shit, and run by a guy on the make.
Preamble over, is it reasonable to suggest to the couple that I pay them directly? They would sublet the room to me, if that's not prohibited, and my name stays off the lease agreement.
>>7489 You have no protectiom that way, but it doesn't sound like you'd have any regardless. You may very well find yourself homeless very quickly and overnight.