[derekgas]

It is a common thing now for them to get a deposit up front, then credit check you etc to see if you qualify (the criteria will be set by the letting agent), advising you that the deposit is non refundable AFTER the fact is not on, I would check that out with citizens advice, the credit checks etc can take two weeks, I dont know what happens if you fail the checks, but I would get some advice, many landlords (though not all) are dodgy to say the least, and letting agents can be worse, you dont need any qualifications to be a letting agent, and are not very well monitored/policed.