Am I being realistic about my moving in expectation? How long will a reasonable landlord wait?

Basically I found the perfect apartment and the landlord has said he can't do anything (viewings, signing contracts etc) until the 26th March. I can easily afford the £600 security deposit (a months'rent) straight away and I've let him know this. I also work at a law firm which I have told the landlord so he knows I'm credible and in a stable well- paid job.

My moving out date for my current place is the 21st April (also my payday).

Do you think if I view the place around the 26th March and put down the deposit as soon as I've seen and liked it that he will "hold" the place for 3.5 weeks until the 21st? Or am I being unreasonable? I could move in on the 15th at a push and request to pay 2 weeks' rent for March.

(The 26th is a Sunday so it will more likely be around the 28th-30th when I actually view it depending on when he is available to hold a viewing)

Is a 3 week "holding period" too much for landlords? Any advice would be appreciated.

It all depends on the market. In most markets, a LL would not hold an apartment this long unless you paid for the vacancy.

There's no way I'd hold an apartment this long. It would cost be over a grand. But, I own apartments in a tight market. If its a renter's market and you are a good candidate, he might wait.

I'd explain the situation, let him know you are serious and would sign the contract and give a deposit right away. Maybe you can meet a compromis.

He won't hold it without pay. If you want it, you will have to start paying for it on the day he tells you that it is ready to move in and he will likely require it to be paid in advance.

The only person to answer your question is the landlord, however if you can't view until 26th then you will have to fill in an application form, the landlord will do a background/credit check if you want it and may or may not ask for a holding deposit, which shows you are serious about renting it, if the background.credit checks don't come back good then you get your holding deposit back, if it is OK and you are accepted it goes towards your security deposit… That could take a week, depending on how many tenants are looking at the property, then you would get a contract to read, sign send back so could be 5 =10 April approx, the landlord may ask when you can move in at the viewing if offered the property and you can then say "ideally 21st"