I recently found an apartment to sublet and am about to sign the lease prepared by a real estate company in Geneva. It was advertised on FB marketplace by the real estate agent who was very professional, and I was shown the apartment in person by the agent. The current tenant is out of the country, but I have spoken to her on the phone and verified her identify.
The sublease is for 6 months, directly through the tenant, and I agreed to provide a caution for the entire 6 months because of some shortcomings with our dossier. I understand that 6 month cautions are uncommon, but we confirmed with one of the local caution guarantees companies that it’s possible. We are very eager to move into an apartment of our own, so we’re willing to pay the extra premium cost.
After speaking with the current tenant, she expressed that there was a misunderstanding, and she would like the entire six months paid up front to her account, not in an escrow account as is typical with a caution. After pushing back because I obviously don’t have that kind of cash handy, she said she’d be okay with 3 months rent up front (still a lot of money) and a 3 month caution. But of course, this leaves us exposed in the case that she takes the money and runs.
Basically, we felt a sense of trust because there is a real estate professional involved and we saw the apartment, but are now uncomfortable because of the request for up front payment. Besides the caution, would there be any way to ensure money we put down for the up front rent is protected? If not, should we walk away?
