Lettings Agency Reference Advice

jibber4568

Hi,

I was hoping someone may be able to lend some advice here.

I am in the process of moving house (from one agency to another).

The new agency has taken the house off the market and accepted our offer and holding deposits.

The problem is in that to proceed the new agency needs a reference from my old agency, but my old agency won't release this unless I pay them £50.

I have given everything I have (until next pay day) to the new agency and therefore can't pay for this reference release (nor do I think that it is right).

If the new agency don't get the reference they will keep my deposit and re market the property. Either way I loose here, I can't pay the reference and without it I'm homeless.

Really not sure what I'm supposed to do and freaking out here.

Cheers for any advice in advance.

RubyCat

Can your current agency maybe take the £50 off of your deposit?

jibber4568

Already asked them that and they said no

Werdnal

Do you know who your actual Landlord is? They should be able to give your a reference and bypass the greedy agent altogether!

korky69

i got told £25 for a reference off my current agent,
my agent "to be" said they would contact the owner of the place I'm moving to and ask if he would accept a work and character reference instead, which they did, so ask them to try that.
if not, you could be stubborn and if you are contacted for viewings in your current home, you tell them silly times, if they ask why, tell them you are delivering evening newspapers to pay for their extortionate fees!
perhaps if they realize that they may have you're place empty an extra week or so they may give it for free?

G_M

Ask your landlord for a reference.

After all, your contract/tenancy was with the LL, not the agency!

tbs624

Agree with contacting current/previous LL direct - they may do a reference for you FOC or at a lower cost.