Is this a normal rental process in Cebu, or are there red flags?
Hi! Is it common for rental owners in Cebu to communicate through WhatsApp instead of Messenger?
I’m new to Cebu and currently staying temporarily in a ₱3,500 room with a common CR. I found a newly opened loft-type studio advertised for ₱6,500, but they weren’t responding on Messenger, so I contacted one of their numbers through WhatsApp.
He told me it would be ₱5,000 for a solo renter and that I only needed to pay one month’s deposit. I told him I’d be moving in next month, and he agreed.
He then said I had until 1 PM yesterday to send the ₱5,000 because someone else was ready to pay and there were supposedly many inquiries. I felt pressured and sent the money without seeing the unit in person. He later sent an invoice as proof that the unit was secured.
That evening, he said he had given me the wrong information. Apparently, the one-month payment only applies to those moving in immediately, and the owner now requires an additional ₱2,000 as installment for the advance payment for September. I’d then only pay ₱3,000 when I move in.
He said they would refund my ₱5,000 if I didn’t agree.
I haven’t sent the additional ₱2,000 yet. Does this sound like a normal rental arrangement, or are there red flags? I’m worried since I already sent ₱5,000.