help! unsure if i should lose holding deposit to book cheaper apartment

i'm stuck between two 1-bed apartments- 1 is cheaper and better location vs pricier, bigger, more efficient- currently in a bit of a dilemma and would love outside perspective.

I put a £75 holding deposit on a 1-bed flat at £900/month. Decent size, energy efficient (EPC C), available mid-September. Tried to negotiate twice- £850 then £875, both knocked back immediately. Now getting pressure to sign today or presumably lose the property.

Meanwhile there’s another 1-bed at £800/month in a better location, available sooner, with a more reputable agency. Downside: it’s only 194 sq ft and EPC D, so bills will be a bit higher. It was listed at £950 a few months ago and has dropped to £800, No council tax either way.

The alternative is another 1-bed at £800/month, available 1st September, really good location, but a lot smaller, EPC D (62), and parking isn’t included so i'd have to get a permit from a friend who's 10 min walk away. The agency seems more reputable. This one was listed at £950 in March and has since dropped to £800, which suggests either flexibility or urgency on the landlord’s side.

it's a £550 different in rent in total for the year as there's a shorter contract length for the 900 (9.5mo vs 10mo)
Financially the cheaper place saves me roughly 550 but higher bills. i'll probs lose out on 75 deposit too

The expensive place is nicer and bigger. But the agency’s reputation isn’t great and the landlord refusing to drop even £25 on a property that’s only been listed a week doesn’t feel great either.

the 900 was only listed 2 weeks ago, whereas then 800 has reduced from 950 back in march. would it be risky to wait out till my place drops in rent and book the place again? would u book the cheaper place ?