I've just signed a tenancy agreement for my new place for my PhD starting in September. I paid £450 for a deposit to the landlords when I secured the place (an established company), which I assumed was a damage deposit of one months' rent plus agency fees. But I've just been into their office to sign the tenancy agreement and I was horrified to see that the "deposit" was JUST the agency fees, and I've still got to pay an extra one month's rent as a real deposit (in the event of damages) still to pay! Which means that I still have £750 to pay on the first day of my tenancy -- my first month's rent AND the damage deposit.

I'm so angry at myself, I'm such a muppet. I can't believe I was so easily duped into paying more than a whole month's rent just in fees, assuming that it was a damage deposit. I've never heard of fees being so high, maybe up to £200 but certainly not £450! I'm angry that they used the word "deposit" to mean their own agency fees but I'm angry at myself for not clarifying all the costs before moving. Yeah, they were really sneaky, but it's my fault for being so naive and desperate for the place (I thought it was a great apartment).

I have no idea how I'm going to afford to pay £750, not to mention all the bills and hiring a van to move all of my stuff. I can't borrow from my parents because they aren't around any more. Basically that's nearly 2/3 of my whole studentship for the month gone in a single day and I've no idea how I'm going to live for the rest of the month. I just looked at the tenancy agreement and if I pull out now I'd still have to pay a month's rent and wouldn't get my fees back under any circumstances. I'm not usually so trusting, I can't believe I'm in this situation.

I'm so naive and stupid, it's so embarrassing! I'm really angry at myself -- sorry! I just needed a place to rant. Grr!