I've been trying to rent apartments in Manila, and it has been a bloody nightmare because of the lack of trust on the part of landlords. First of all, I don't have post-dated checks or a checking account in the Phil, I have a BDO savings account. And second, in Canada, the country where I am from, I simply give my word that I will show up with my rent and security deposit on such and such a date and sign a one year lease and the lessor nine times out of ten will honour my word as I will his or hers. However, it has been my experience here in the Phil that, so far at least, 100% of landlords are very difficult to negotiate with unless they get some kind of retainer fee well in advance of the move in date. To me at least, this wreaks of distrust and creates and atmosphere of distrust and frankly is a big turn off to me when I come across lessors asking me for "earnest deposits" a month ahead of planned contract signing and move in dates–especially since many condo complexes require new tenants to be Covid tested with negative results, which costs money and requires scheduling in advance. Also, anyone who has moved knows that moving into a new condo requires scheduling movers, elevators, and so on and so on. This one lady owner of the condo I was looking at even sent me a contract which I agreed to all of its terms, but then at the last minute told me that she would only consider the deal closed if I paid her a whole months rent in advance as a reservation fee. I was like wtf?? I guess this is because there is so much corruption and distrust here in the Phil? I really don't like it and it makes it easier for me to just keep renting AirBnB's, because then I don't have to deal with these inconsiderate landlords that insist that if I don't pay them all of this money as an "earnest fee" that they will only let me know if the condo is still available at the end of the month, and some of them will not even have the courtesy to do that! To me, being earnest is a willingness to sign the contract in advance, which is legally binding...I offered to sign the contract a month in advance, but the prospective landlord told me signing was not enough and she required the month rent one month ahead of the move in date! Why the obsession with post-dated checks and "earnest fees"? I guess it is not showing sincerity and good intentions to sign the lease contract one month ahead of move in date?? That said, I'm observing more frequently that there is a "if i don't get exactly what I want I will forfeit the opportunity mentality" here in the Philippines. It seem so irrational to me to not try to negotiate with someone who is essentially helping you to pay for your investment by renting out your condo! "If I don't get my PDC's and my "earnest fee" the deal is off! wtf?? Can someone explain the stubbornness to me???