We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
References didn't go through what should I do?????

dimpcpa
Posts: 6 Forumite
I am hoping someone can help me. I have just moved to the UK from America and find myself in a bit of a mess. I rented a flat 5 months ago and have had problems with the heating and hot water ever since. The estate agent is a real jerk and says that the systems in place are sufficient. I stopped my standing order a month ago letting the agent know that I wouldn't pay until the heat and hot water were fixed.
I was out of town when they fitted new convection heaters to replace the broken storage heaters. I have had the council health and safety officer come in and he says that since there is heat they can't do anything. They said that the limited hot water poses a personal hygeine issue and I am waiting for the agent to get back to the council.
I gave my notice to terminate and have found a new place to live, when the references were checked the current estate agent threw a stink and said I never paid rent. So now I am in a mess. I have gotten threat letters about legal action from the estate agent, I am 28 days past due on my rent.
I make a good living, have never been in arrears or any legal issues, now I feel as if I am being punished when I am paying over £1200 a month in rent with no heat and limited hot water.
WHAT CAN I DO???? Even if I pay the rent they will still give me a horrible reference and they will hold my deposit.
Please help
I was out of town when they fitted new convection heaters to replace the broken storage heaters. I have had the council health and safety officer come in and he says that since there is heat they can't do anything. They said that the limited hot water poses a personal hygeine issue and I am waiting for the agent to get back to the council.
I gave my notice to terminate and have found a new place to live, when the references were checked the current estate agent threw a stink and said I never paid rent. So now I am in a mess. I have gotten threat letters about legal action from the estate agent, I am 28 days past due on my rent.
I make a good living, have never been in arrears or any legal issues, now I feel as if I am being punished when I am paying over £1200 a month in rent with no heat and limited hot water.
WHAT CAN I DO???? Even if I pay the rent they will still give me a horrible reference and they will hold my deposit.
Please help
0
Comments
-
Offer to pay the first 6 months' rent up front at the new place?
Where you went wrong was by stopping the rent. This isn't something you should ever do. Also, your agent had a legal obligation to tell the truth when asked for a reference. If you'd not paid rent at the new place he could have been held responsible for not telling them that you'd not paid rent in the last place.0 -
I am 28 days in arrears, was out of town for 2 weeks which the agent knew about, if I pay the rent now will that help? I was advised by a legal aid lawyer to not pay rent and everyone who I spoke to said don't pay since they haven't fixed the heat/water.
It's hard not knowing what to do when u are from a different country.0 -
You have bank statements or cheque stubbs or receipts ?? they should prove you've paid, after that to offer to pay extra months in advance should help loads
As for the lack of appropriate services i.e. heating; show any new letting agent the "trail/proof" of what happened, and why you tempoarily suspended payments; they should get it0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.3K Spending & Discounts
- 243.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.6K Life & Family
- 256.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards