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Urgent - Dealing with a Break In and Surrendered Tenancy

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Comments

  • Elle7
    Elle7 Posts: 1,271 Forumite
    Thank you all so much. My head is such a mess, so your help is much appreciated.

    The agents have now claimed that the landlord has given them a key (landlord denied that to the police) and that they kicked the door in as the key didn't work.

    The move-in date is tomorrow, so there isn't much time to sort this out. I'm not answering any further calls from the agencies, but haven't been able to contact my landlord either. I'm not sure what they know re surrendering, but I no longer feel safe here at all.

    I've asked for a mental health advocate and the Victim Support unit are set to call me back...I feel very lost all of a sudden.
  • Elle7
    Elle7 Posts: 1,271 Forumite
    Well, the agent has called again to say that they will hold us liable for rent if I leave, and asking for us to confirm that I will be leaving tomorrow.

    So now I'm stuck with either a huge amount to pay to change my move-in date, and two rents, or I leave but potentially am held liable.
  • newsgroup_monkey
    newsgroup_monkey Posts: 849 Forumite
    Call Shelter. You need some proper professional advice IMHO.

    Your LAs are putting undue pressure on you because they know they are in the wrong. In fact, if the facts are as you say, I can see some arrests being made (and more than one!)

    I would ignore them and move out, but I'm not in your position.
    The smaller the monkey the more it looks like it would kill you at the first given opportunity.
  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 36,154 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi

    You need to ring the Private Tenancy Officer at the Council; you might still get them if you dio this quickly.
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 14 February 2013 at 5:30PM
    Get advice from whoever you can:
    * Shelter
    * CAB
    * Council Private Tenancy Officer
    * Victim Support

    2) Move out as planned. You have already signed the new contract (I assume) so have to pay the new rent (It's not the new landlord's fault what has happened), and you've booked removalmen, and you are scared. So move.

    3) Wite as advised above, TO THE LANDLORD. Address it
    a) to the address on the tenancy agreement AND
    b) a copy to his home address if you have it and it's different
    c) you might find his address (£3) from the Land Registry here

    Tell the LL in the letter:
    i) his agent agreed an early surrender so you are moving out as agreed tomorrow
    ii) you can no longer deal with his agent on police advice because of criminal proceedings
    iii) so you would like to know how to return his key, and when he wll return your deposit

    4) Ignore the agent. Completely.

    5) stop paying rent
  • Elle7
    Elle7 Posts: 1,271 Forumite
    Small update...

    Wrote to the landlord as you and Shelter advised. Also emailed the same content across, due to the timeframes involved.

    Landlord has responded to say that they are unwilling to communicate with us, and that all communication must know be through the agent.

    The same agent that I've told I will no longer talk too due to the previous incidents...

    I can't cope with this.
  • ValHaller
    ValHaller Posts: 5,212 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Elle7 wrote: »
    Small update...

    Wrote to the landlord as you and Shelter advised. Also emailed the same content across, due to the timeframes involved.

    Landlord has responded to say that they are unwilling to communicate with us, and that all communication must know be through the agent.

    The same agent that I've told I will no longer talk too due to the previous incidents...

    I can't cope with this.
    Do as G_M says. If you write to the LL, then you have communicated. It is for the LL to forward to the agent if they must. This is the LL's problem with a delinquent agent. Not your problem
    You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    ValHaller wrote: »
    Do as G_M says. If you write to the LL, then you have communicated. It is for the LL to forward to the agent if they must. This is the LL's problem with a delinquent agent. Not your problem
    Agreed.

    You have advised the LL formally via the proper address (I hope!) that you are leaving, and why, and have requested your deposit.

    Now do nothing. (except move out).

    If, in time, you do not receive yur deposit, you make a claim for it via the deposit registration scheme, and if necessary raise a dispute with them. (I assume your deposit is registered and you know where).

    If the agent contacts you by phone/at the door etc, do not communicate beyond saying "please ask the LL to respond" then hang up the phone. Do not open the door/let the agent in. (obviously if they kick the door in again, dial 999!)

    If they write to you, then either post their letter here and/or get advice elsewhere before responding.
  • ValHaller
    ValHaller Posts: 5,212 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Elle7 wrote: »
    .... I can't cope with this.
    Most people would find this very distressing. You are doing fine - better than you think you might be.
    You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Elle7 wrote: »
    I can't cope with this.
    You are moving tomorrow. Not long. Then you are out.

    OK, you will have some on-going issues like your deposit, but the immediate threats will be gone and you can resolve this at leisure.
This discussion has been closed.
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