It wasn't so bad in the end as after looking at a couple of places I refused to play best and final offer bidding game and waited for a suitable apartment to arrive on the market. I then went straight to the agent and forced a holding deposit on them prior to looking at the apartment. They were unprepared for my approach took the money and then realised that it prevented them from going into a bidding war. I then went and looked at the apartment said yes and they were obliged to deal at the advertised rate. I could have lost the holding deposit but as it was only a weeks rent (£600) it was worth a gamble. The online pictures of the apartment showed it to be Ok and it was unfurnished so less opportunity for surprises.
The usual problems of apartment not cleaned or emptied on handover and the previous tenant lost a set of keys on the day of handover occurred - but I guess you expect this sort of behaviour.
