Uncaring/rude letting agent - advice please

Cdegwi

Hello!
My boyfriend and I are rather frustrated.
He began renting a place back in February, and it was always on the understanding that I would be moving in in July. I was seeing a tenancy through on my current place, which I share with two friends that have just bought a house together. They've exchanged and have a move in date, so back on the 14th June my boyfriend told the letting agency that I would like to move in on the 6th July. It's a tight window for us, I've just relocated for my job and we're going on holiday for two weeks on the 28th (not that that's any concern to the agent)... Anyway. He heard nothing, and then last week called to see how things were going. He was told that it would be the 22nd because they're scrapping the current contract to start a new one and that was the only date that would be possible, as it's the date that his tenancy would be up for renewal.
This is fine, we understand. However, I'm left feeling uneasy about their care for us as tenants. This is the second time that their communication has broken down. When my boyfriend first moved in he sent an email (as he was prompted by the letting agents to send anything over he felt needed seeing to), not excessive, just the fact that none of the doors latch, there's a big hole in one of the walls, no lock on the bathroom (broken) and that when he had a shower the first time there, the ceiling below was dripping. Hasn't happened since but he politely requested it was checked as that's quite concerning. He didn't get an email back, and that was in February. Apparently he has since, over the phone, offered to get work done himself and the letting agent had said no as the landlord has their own handyman...
This second time, I'm left feeling irritated as we were under the impression it would be fine, I've booked a van, and they would have surely been able to say upon request 'no you will have to wait until the date of your contract end' or whatever. Today my boyfriend asked if we could have permitted occupancy just for the two weeks before the contract changes, and the agent was extremely rude, first off saying that he didn't know what permitted occupancy was (???) And then disparaging him for asking if there was a possibility of me moving in on the aforementioned terms.

It's completely set my anxiety reeling, because I don't know if I want to move into a place that's 'fully managed' by an agent that appears to have no regard for structural maintenance or any clue as to what our rights as tenants are.

Advice would be much appreciated at this stage. I'm very paranoid!:A

anselld

Why can't you just move in on the 6th?
The Agents can catch up the paperwork on the 22nd if that is their choice.

Cdegwi

Thank you for your reply.
I'm a worry wart, and I'm worried that they'll spring an inspection on us... I suppose I could do, and we could argue that I am a guest, it's only two weeks and I stay over once a week if that.

MovingForwards

I moved into a flat and lived there for several months before being added to the tenancy. My LA were fine with it.

Even went as far as giving us the heads up for another property, before they marketed it, when our LL wanted his flat back.

steampowered

I would just move in on the 6th to be honest.

I'm not sure I would even bother chasing the letting agent for a new tenancy agreement. I would just get on with it. The letting agent clearly isn't bothered.

Having all tenants sign a tenancy agreement is more of a landlord concern than a tenant concern!

jonnygee2

This is the second time that their communication has broken down. When my boyfriend first moved in he sent an email (as he was prompted by the letting agents to send anything over he felt needed seeing to), not excessive, just the fact that none of the doors latch

Sounds like a DIY fix?

there's a big hole in one of the walls

Cover it!

no lock on the bathroom (broken)

Add a latch, remove it when you leave.

and that when he had a shower the first time there, the ceiling below was dripping.

If there's no damp patch on the plaster or continuing signs of a leak there's nothing to check.

Ultimately they probably think you are being a bit needy. You don't really need a new contract, most people would just move in, and you are worrying about tiny things which the majority of tenants would just ignore or fix themselves.

Cdegwi

I'm currently in a rented property so I've got experience in that respected. I would get the stuff fixed myself; I work in the trade industry and have a multitude of contacts and stuff but. I just thought it best to ask permission.
The bathroom door has completely sagged, from a pair of amateur's perspective we couldn't fix it. Hence why asking permission and getting told that the landlord has their preferred handyman... I would even pay for the doors and work myself, it's just their lack of clear communication that brothers me.
There is a damp mark on the plaster that looks like it's been painted over.

I do understand your point about being needy! We just want to do everything by the book and above the belt. If it weren't for the fact that my boyfriend sent that first email back in Feb, and then nothing since then until a few weeks ago, I would totally agree with you!!

Also, we haven't requested a new contract. The letting people are insisting that...

Cdegwi

*update* we've been back through the contact and there's a section about permitted occupancy... Why has the letting company lied about it not being something they do?

Jumblebumble

Cdegwi wrote: »

*update* we've been back through the contact and there's a section about permitted occupancy... Why has the letting company lied about it not being something they do?

I wonder if quiet enjoyment trumps everything as long as there is no subletting

Cdegwi

Hello all.
We have now had agreement from the landlord on the following conditions:
· Commencing the tenancy on a fixed term basis for twelve months with a six month break clause.
· The rent is increased by an additional £25.00 PCM
· I'm fully referenced and the reference result is satisfactory
· An inspection of the property is carried out beforehand.

All fine.. but -rent increase? We're perplexed by this as the rent was agreed back in Feb and was on the premise that I would be moving in... Can they do this? We've not argued, we've agreed to it because not utterly phased by £25 a month and don't want to quibble and risk a smooth move in..

danlewi2

Either pay it or say you don't agree with it. They can do anything if you agree to it.