lamdlord and letting agent - unfair charges and court action -very worried

sam791

Looking for advice. I have posted about this before.
Will try be as brief as possible.
LL decided to sell the house i was renting early this year. I just had a baby so it came at a really bad time. The letting agent (who i want to add is the personal friend of the ll and works as a one man band)
made constant demands for access to the house for viewings. Some i could do but other i couldnt and offered alternative days. He threatened to enter anyway even though i said no. They did say they would offer the last month free as a gogw.
A few months back i was lucky enough to be offered a council house. So i took it , gave my notice and didnt pay the last month.
The letting agent did the final inspection and added on a huge amount of charges (mostly wear and tear but some i will accept )
I.e charging for carpets for the whole house and redecoration.
I have pictures. None of this was needed . I lived there for 3 1/2 years.

I have been reading they can issue me with a ccj which is what is worrying me as i am trying desperately to improve my rating.
I am furious as i feel both the agent and landlord have conspired to charge me as much as they can.

I have offered the full deposit as i just want them to leave me alone but they will not accept.

What happens if they take me to court and what is the likey hood the judge will issue me with a ccj?

I am thinking of counter suing due to breach of peace and it was also the ll responsibility to maintain the garden (was in the tenancy) but this was never done and i paid a gardener.

I lived in fear the agent would just walk in at anytime to do viewings. It was a horrible stressful time.

Any advice would be appreciated.

pmlindyloo

Was your deposit protected and did you go through the deposit scheme for arbitration?

Was there a signed inventory when you started your tenancy?

Why didn't you pay the last month's rent?

Have you written to the letting agent setting out what charges you agree to and which you don't? Not sure what has happened so far.

G_M

Write a letter listing each item and state

1) whether you accept it is damage as opposed to wear and tear and/or original condition
2) whether you accept the amount claimed

Refer to the original inventory where relevant

counter-claim for the cost of gardening, and refer to the relevant clause

If worried about unannounced viewing, inclue in yourletter a requirement for 24 hours written notice, then change the lock

.

They did say they would offer the last month free as a gogw.

Do you have this in writing?

sam791

Yes the deposit was protected. They said the landlord doesn't have to use them and can go straight to court.
I have spoke to the agent and said what I do and don't agree with ( in regards to charges)

They said I could have the last month free but when it came down to it ( when I said I was leaving ) they said only if they find a buyer but I was offered a house and couldn't wait till then so I took it and left.
I do have the email stating last month free but it was only after a said I was leaving they said they meant when they find a buyer.

I couldn't refuse a council house because they wanted a tenant up until it was sold !

The agent will not budge . He's all for the landlord ( his mate )

sam791

I did change the locks in the end as I was fed up with being threaten with them Turning up to do viewings .

sam791

I want to add I have never been late or missed rent before.

ManofLeisure_2

What a stressful time for you. The Citizen's Advice Bureaux are extremely good at advising in cases like yours - so perhaps a chat to one of their advisers might help.

Hope this matter is resolved quickly for you.

sam791

Thank you.
So sorry for the typos . Trying the do a million things at once !