Rent/ custody

[iamtheoneandonlyyy]

Long story short I've recently fled domestic abuse. Non violent. We went to refuge.
We came back because their dad vacated.
Things were ok. It's gone downhill a bit but I expected that.
Today I spoke to our letting agent and told them he had gone, i wanted to face up to the fact that might mean my contract finishing and being evicted. But they said I am the lead tenant and as long as rent is paid there's no problem. Great I thought.
He's gone absolutely mad. He says he's going to get legal action to have the kids and that the letting agents will evict me. He said they have to say they won't but it's a lie.
Do they have to say that? I'm a mess I'm so confused, all this is been to protect them
Sorry I'm in chat I'm panicking

He is talking nonsense, ignore him.

I love you
I hope you're right I'm terrified

Just bully boy tactics. Ignore him and call the police if he threatens /frightens you

England: you have no contractual relationship with the agents, only the landlord.

if you and the ex are both named on the tenancy, he can end it for both of you. What you need to do is get a new tenancy in your name only. The landlord won't want to evict a good paying tenant. Nor will the agent although they are irrelevant to any such decision.

read this for info and options.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/relationship_breakdown_ending_a_joint_tenancy

The landlord won't evict you so long as rent is paid, so stay on top of that and perhaps let the landlord know the situation so they know not to liaise with him or pass information on.

There's no way he'll get "legal action to take the kids" - those are the words of someone who knows his grip on you has loosened so now he's panicking trying to scare you with the one thing he knows can hurt you. Ignore him. Protect yourself and consider requesting a non-molestation order if he comes to the house. You are doing an incredible thing, keep going

If you are the lead tenant paying the rent the landlord won't care if your ex is there or not, the agent has told you have told you that.

Asking for the contract to be amended so that it is just your name would be sensible.

He can apply through the court system to apply for residency for the dc. This would not be granted if you all went to a refuge. As a social worker I'm totally clear on that.

Jeez ignore the typing issues.
OP, he is trying to scare you about the kids, the courts wouldn't give him residency even if he could be bothered to actually apply for this.
This is just a threat to control you.

Ok I'll take all this onboard thank you. It's just such a horrible time it's hard not to get confused and I'm obviously worried a lot. I'm so gutted it's come to all this

I collected them night before last and he was very aggressive on the doorstep. Very angry that I haven't backed down but pretending he's angry about other things.
We'd agreed to talk to the children at the right moment and gently explain this is all permanent. But as we were leaving my five year old said 'daddy do you think you will come home soon?'
And (carrying him so they were face to face'
Said in a rage 'no! Daddy's never EVER coming home again. Am I mummy? Ask mummy. Go on! Tell him mummy! Daddy's never coming home!'

He crushed my little boys feelings in a cruel way because he knew it was the only thing that would get to me.
Yes, my kids needed to know but surely in a calm reassuring way that they are loved and will be ok.
I obviously spoke to my children when we got home and handled it the best I could.
I thought his dad might feel bad but he messaged me to say he has no regrets about saying that in that way to him.