Ongoing issues with landlord

Bluehornet1

Hi,

Hope someone out there can help.

4 years ago my wife and kids rented a house through an agency. The only thing my wife didnt like was a nasty looking bathroom and the only thing that bothered me was the fact the landlord had filled the garage with junk before we moved in.

All was going well then after 6 months my the property owner approached me directly and asked if we could cut out the middle man and change the agreement to just the two of us. As we were happy in the property I didnt want to ruffle any feathers I agreed, since then I've had the following

- No contract or tenancy agreement has been forthcoming
- The rentbook I was promised was never delivered
- I've had to pay cash in hand rent
- No gas safetey checks
- The garage is still not empty
- Although promised the bathroom remains in a terrible condtion

(The only reason I have not chased up, harrangued, argued the above is due to me and my wife having another baby and discovering our middle child has ASD, so only now in a position where I can take more stress!!!)

Over the last 6 months a couple of incidents have pushed me over the edge, during the winter we had almost gale like weather which blew our porch door against the side of the wall, smashing the full pane of glass (the bracket supposed to prevent was useless) and our landlords response was "you take the door down and replace it if you want". This was then followed by a £50 increase in the rent. So in theory we are now paying more for less (ie no porch or garage).

After doing some reading I have also discovered that my landlord is registered at my address on the land registry so I assume not is he only defrauding the tax man but also his mortgage company.

It goes without saying that my family deserve better and we are looking to move ASAP, but I'd like to know the following

How do I claim my deposit, is this with the agency or my landlord?
What notice period I am to give (if any)?
Can I prevent him from doing this to others?

Thanks