Can rental agents force us to take utilities deal?

Oleander

Hi everyone

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place so please tell me if I should post somewhere else.

We are moving into a rented house on Saturday. The rent and deposit are paid, the contract signed, we've met the landlady who seems lovely.

But the agency appears unwilling to make arrangements to give us the key unless we sign up for utilities through a scheme they are promoting.

We intend to sign up with our existing supplier, who we are more than happy with (and I have now used in four different homes). Can the agency actually make us go with their supplier? And if not, can anyone advise any legal wording I can quote at them?

Thank you

Oleander

I've belatedly spotted the 'house buying, selling and renting' forum and posted again there

TheCyclingProgrammer

Not that it would necessarily make it legal, but did it say anything in the rental agreement?

If not, then its quite simple. They offered you terms (the rental agreement), a deposit and first month's rent has been agreed, a contract is already in place. They can't force you to use this utility scheme and IMO if they do not hand over the keys on the start date they are in breach of contract.

If it was in the rental agreement then that doesn't necessarily mean its a fair term.