Start date of tenancy?

[NervousNellie29]

Hi so we have found a property to let for my husbands job and have paid all referencing fees, etc. We've sent over our deposit and first months rent in advance. No tenancy agreement had been signed.
We now need to change the date we start tenancy and move in (only reason we have date we did in first place was because the letting agent pushed for one and said it was needed for the paperwork).
We are being told by the letting agent that we can't change the date. I was under the impression that we should be able to as nothing had been signed yet.

Am I completely wrong or should this be an option still?

[NervousNellie29]

Should add the change is only one week.

[wowfudge]

All you can do is ask them to please ask the landlord if they will agree to this. Have you received the tenancy agreement to sign?

[Indaba]

The agent will be trying to protect the landlord and their interests. Be lovely to the agent, and try and persuade agent to persuade landlord. At this stage the landlord is not wanting to go out and find another tenant. If they are stubborn maybe try and spilt difference. Good luck.

[NervousNellie29]

The landlord has been a complete twat. Completely ignoring me or just saying he'll wait until my husband is free to chat.
I'm about to say screw the house entirely and find a new one and get our money back.

[NervousNellie29]

Not landlord sorry the letting agent ugh

[wowfudge]

He wants to get the tenancy in his April sales figures, that's why. Put in writing to him that you would like him to liaise with the LL and vary the tenancy start date. You can always say you may be forced to go elsewhere if he won't make the call to the LL.

[NervousNellie29]

My husband is to much of a pushover to do that and the letting agent won't talk to me

[specialsubject]

Tell the agent that if he wants to make the sale he talks to both tenants who will be on the agreement.

You arent entitled to landlord details until after tenancy starts, but if the agent is already this bad you will need them. Make sure all the other stuff is squeaky clean as per how to rent!

[namechangedtoday15]

I think you're in a difficult position. The agent will say that an agreement was in place in terms of the start date, they took the property off the market, you sent deposit and 1st month's rent (which was accepted) on that basis. Moving the start date back effectively means the property will be empty for a week longer than expected and the landlord won't receive any rent.

If you've already paid referencing fees, you stand to lose that if you pull out now (or if the agent pulls out) even if you get the deposit and rent back. Is that more or less than a weeks' rent.