It was probably considered off-topic, shit happens, I am sure it's not personal, also you have the right be worried for your money and ask about escrow, however, I have seen ailikun and a few other guys run these kind of shared-rental rounds a lot of times before, most of them ended well and proof of hash rent was provided.

Anyway should there be more demand on using Escrow for these runs, I would suggest you guys get in touch with phill, I am sure he will be willing to escrow the deal.