Renting Hell

southstand1882

My partner and I have just signed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for a 3 bed house. We have paid approx £3K as a deposit and first months rent.

The contract commencement date was for the Monday 21st September (yesterday)

However, the estate agents have just informed me this afternoon that a plumber (sent round to give a gas safety certificate) has declared that major works will need to be carried out before we can move in. Apparently there is a problem with the boiler and floorboards may need to be pulled up.

I currently have a long wheel base hire van with our possessions sat in the car park outside our temporary accommodation. Our current room is being let out to new tenants at the end of this week. We will be homeless after Friday.

Can we cancel the contract?

Are the agents obliged to provide us with temporary accommodation?

What do we do about our stuff?

I had taken this week off to help us move into our new home...this week is quickly becoming a nightmare for both of us. We were really excited about moving in as we absolutely love the property.

Any advice on what we can do would be very much appreciated. I've asked for the agents to call me back this afternoon.

Thanks in advance!

southstand1882

The estate agent has just emailed me saying that our signed contract is not legally binding until we've got the keys and moved in!

ifonlyitwaseasier

OMG bumping as the agent sounds like an eejit!

and if it's not legally binding then what on earth is going to happen to all the other people who sign them before picking up the keys????

poppysarah

Speak to shelter or a local solicitor (they should give half an hour free)

Debt_Free_Chick

Can you move into a holiday home for a few weeks?

clutton_2

of course its legally binding - you have paid rent !!!!!!!! - the LL of the property HAS to provide you with some accommodation ..... - go sit in their offices with your sleeping bags and dont move till they get something sorted


having said that - it may not necessarily be major works just because floor boards need raising - why not find out exactly what the work entails first - ask if you can talk to the gas engineer and find out how long it will take - BUT first off, find out if the gas boiler is SAFE to use and if it would be safe for you to be in the property

if it would - then it could be worth your while negotiating a couple of weeks rent free while the work is done - or at least 50% reduction

southstand1882

Thanks...I asked the agents if I could have my money back if the contract is not legally binding which seemed to worry them!

They are trying to reassure me that they're trying to move it forward...If I don't get some satisfactory answers tomorrow then I'll threaten to pull out again.

Trouble is they took £300 in admin fees and £250 as a holding deposit to take the house off the market...doubt I'd get that back?

Pepzofio

southstand1882 wrote: »

Trouble is they took £300 in admin fees and £250 as a holding deposit to take the house off the market...doubt I'd get that back?

I'd certainly be asking for it back as they are the ones breaking the contract.

PasturesNew

Read clutton's #7 post. clutton's word is gold .... trust it. Act on it. Believe it ... and kick the EA's/LL's butt... they OWE you a roof over your head. Now. Not tomorrow, not some time, not looking into it. NOW.

You signed. They signed. Everybody signed. YOUR RIGHT.

Fire_Fox

I'm with PasturesNew, Clutton is a very experienced professional landlord and is rarely (?never) wrong on these matters.

southstand1882

Latest news is they've offered a full refund and will help us find a new property with another agent.

However, we have asked for permission to move our stuff into the property, as we are still keen on it.

The agents believe the property will be available next weekend, but can't guarantee it.

I'll see how it goes...