References didn't go through what should I do?????

dimpcpa

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

PasturesNew

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.

dimpcpa

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.

Millburn_farm

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 it