No contract, Landlord is fine with it, LA cant get in touch with reference compay...

lilyfield_88

So...a bit of a strange situation I'd love some advice on.

I've relocated to a different city for my new job (hooray!) and I'm currently renting a three bedroom flat from a Landlord which is also through a separate Letting Agency. I moved in 10th January to the approval of the LL and LA. Normally they only let tenants into the property when all the checks come back, but due to the length of time it took for the Reference Company to do so they said yes to me so I wouldn't be homeless. This is all confirmed in writing from all parties, as well as confirmed verbally with the LL.

Which leads us to now. It doesn't help that my work took a solid month and a half of providing an employment reference. The other part of the referencing process is down to me submitting personal details such as NI number and birth certificate. Which I did so back in February.

However, no-one can get in touch with the Reference Company. I've tried chasing, the LL has chased and so has the LA. I'm stuck in a Catch-22 where I need a contract, but until my references come back from the RA they wont submit one to me. I'm also sitting on my deposit and application fee which the LA wont take until I have a contract to sign...I've suggested that they use a different RA to ensure I get a contract and its not been actioned yet. I've even tried submitting the documents they need directly to the LA but it MUST go through the RA that are non-responsive. I have email trails with relevant people (LL and LA copied in) to show that we are outstanding the information due to their disappearing act.

There are two other tenants with me who do have contracts. They are aware of the situation as well and they're not particularly worried. If anything, they've been very understanding and have tried to chase on my behalf as well, with no response as well.

I've spoken to both the LL and LA regarding this, and they're being very relaxed about it. I'm paying my rent on a monthly basis (electronically with receipts, I also have the LL email me to confirm that he has received payment). However I'm now a bit terrified that I've shot myself in the foot doing this :eek: I was worried that NOT paying rent would have meant I would have been asked to leave very quickly, but I may have just thrown money away willy nilly?

Legally, where do I stand? Would the LL/LA be within their rights to throw my belongings on the street? To clarify, I strongly believe they wouldn't do that based on my interactions with everyone involved. The LL has been absolutely fantastic and stressed that he doesn't think I'm being a leech and he wants me in the property as I'm a very efficient, polite tenant. But either way, I just need some advice!

theartfullodger

Assuming you've been paying rent you have a contract, an AST, just it is verbal.

Do nothing! Landlord/agent has more problems with lack of paperwork.

Any silliness, call police.