Advice on private tenancy agreements

flux90

Hi I was just wanting a bit of advice.
I am 6 months through a terrible tenancy - I would even take student landlords over this!
I have pets and informed the letting agency (also management for the landlord) that I had and paid extra deposit for it. When I signed the contract on moving day, I was aware that the letter about my animals only showed my dog. I enquired this with the agent signing it and he said it didnt matter about the rest (cats) as it was the dog that was the problem.
6 months later and an inspection, 2 weeks later a letter follows through saying I am in breach with the tenancy agreement.
Now I have to wait to deal with that particular agent who is conveniently on holiday, where do I stand?
I forgot to mention this is after a faulty boiler for the first two months where I was without heating for 3 days in one stint, as well as a £300 heating bill from the faulty boiler for ONE MONTH (kept "fixing" the boiler until I kicked off and demanded a new one), having to clean the mould and paint on the day I moved in as well as other things like carpet cleaning that never happened.
Any advice? Or similar stories so I know I'm not alone in hating renting!

RAS

Which country are you in?

When did the tenancy start and when does the fixed term end?

Dual signed inventory or not?

Fire_Fox

Who has sent you a letter now, letting agent or landlord or freeholder? What management, the freeholder for the block of flats? Which letter is 'the letter' from moving day, from whom to whom? Did you inform the agent and management in writing and do you have copies of this?

Did you get given a copy of the landlord's gas safety certificate? Did you report the problems with the boiler in writing? If so and no action is taken contact Environmental Health at the local council. Next time get everything agreed in writing, don't take occupation of the place if the cleanliness is not as agreed.

BitterAndTwisted

What breach of the tenancy agreement?

When does your fixed-term end?

Sensible landlords would rather hang onto a decent tenant, who is a known quantity and who pays the rent on time than risk a void between tenancies, a new tenant-finding fee from the agent and anew tenant who is not a known quantity. You may at less risk than you believe.

If you took on a filthy place I sincerely hope that the dual-signed check-in inventory reflected that.

Boiler issues are in the past and should not be brought into this.

princeofpounds

2 weeks later a letter follows through saying I am in breach with the tenancy agreement.

I doubt this will result in anything except the possibility your tenancy won't be renewed on expiry. The LL cannot sue you for anything unless he suffers loss or damage, and it's unlikely to be a valid ground to terminate the tenancy.

I say unlikely because only a judge would be able to decidethat, but reasons for eviction usually need to be really serious, not something as trivial as 'having a cat as well as a dog'.

And even if it is valid, the landlord would be unlikely to achieve termination and possession of the property for months.

I wouldn't be surprised if the original agent gave permission unapproved to achieve a let, and the new agent and possibly even the LL had no idea. Luckily for you if the LA agreed it with you, as the LL's representative it is as if the LL did too.

In this circumstance, I would be assertive. Tell them that you fully disclosed your pets to the initial agent, he assured you that it would be ok and even gave you a letter to that fact, and that you have paid extra deposit to cover any risks. And then let them make the next move. I wouldn't be surprised if the matter gets dropped eventually.