To want to cry because of this letting agent.

[Josie22]

Long post so apologies in advance. We handed in notice on our rented property on 15th April. We had to give 2 months notice but by the 18th May the agents had already received an offer but the tenant wanted to move in earlier so asked us if we could possibly move out earlier and after much discussion the date was set for this weekend -21st May. We have been busy packing and have cancelled all the relevant utilites etc. Yesterday I got a phone call from the agents saying that the landlady now wanted us to stay an extra week and therefore we need to pay an extra week's rent - despite the fact that the revised date was set by them and we had never been told that this date would ever change. Now they are basically blackmailing us saying that if we don't pay up for an extra week when we will not even be in the house then they will presume that we are staying until the original end date of 15th June- but with 3 ans 1/2 days until we move out they must know that we have alternative accommodation. Am so upset am shaking. I can't understand what we have done wrong.

Have you got anything in writing? Is the letting agent a member of any licencing boards etc?

Send them something in writing advising that you gave the required two months notice, which they then changed to the 21st May, you accomodated them to assist with the new tenant, and now cannot revise your plans, and feel that they are taking liberties, and you will be seeking advise from your solicitor.

Further advise that you will not be making any further payments with regards rent, when they changed your leaving date which you have in writing.

what have the agents said? i think you have a good "case" against the landlady because the agency will presumably back up what you have said about her wanting to change the date to this weekend.

i would see if you can speak to a solicitor though, or CAB

They're trying it on and don't have a leg to stand on. Just tell them that have fulfilled all your obligations and you won't be paying them another penny.

But does our tenancy agreement not count - we haven't signed anything else. The agents are really in the wrong here I think because they should have told us this could happen - I would never have agreed to it if I had known. I think we have a case against them for professional negligence but haven't spoken to a solicitor directly - we are are talking about £180 here so not the end of the world but we are the ones that are doing them a favour.

They asked if you would consider moving out early, you answered in the affirmative and now they are looking to renege on this. They can't. It's unusual for you to have to give 2 month's notice anyway - most agencies only require a month, but they have to give 2.

Do you have your termination of agreement in writing? and do you have anything from them in writing stating you are moving out on the 21st May if so then stick to that and advise that as you have it in writing that is what you are going to adhere to. They cannot make changes now 3 days before you are due to move. They are trying it on because the new tenants have obviously moved their week back to move in.

But they are saying they can? Stupidly on my behalf they phoned me always so I never received anything in writing. They are basically saying tough and that I have no rights - the rights are with the Landlord as she owns the property.

Oh I did put an email in writing regarding the 21st but unfortunately I said July not May. Basically I am screwed aren't I.

They did know it was the 21st however as they sent me an email saying that the new date was 'a week earlier than initially mentioned'. No one told me that it was provisional - surely 4 days prior to the move they can't change their mind. Ughh wish I was a lawyer.

No. they can't do this to you.

Sit yourself down, take a deep breath and compose a letter to them that states the date you gave your notice, the original date that you were leaving.

Then detail that you were called on such and such a date to advise you that they had found a new tenant that wanted to move in asap and therefore could you move out earlier.

State then 'At great inconvenience, we managed to accommodate the date you informed us of and have been working to that date until yesterday.

We have arranged for final bills until that date, standing orders, insurances and direct debits cancelled, re-directed our post, arranged for help to move, arranged for transport etc etc all to accommodate the date that you insisted upon.

Now, less than 4 days before we are due to move out, you tell us that we have to pay for another week, for the property we will no longer be living in having been ASKED to leave on that earlier date set by YOU and the landlord.

This request is highly irregular and utterly unreasonable. We will be leaving as requested. If the new tenants are delaying their move in date, then they need to cover that week, not us.

This is just my gut reaction, Get some CAB advice on this pronto though!

Some advice from a former housing lawyer, but not in England so may not be relevant............

I think they're trying it on. If they stipulated an earlier date than the notice period, I'd argue that this varied the terms of the original lease. If they end up with an empty house for 1 week, that's their problem not yours.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all your responses. Just wish I had got something on email but as they were always the ones contacting me I didn't think about it - too busy packing and looking after my one year old! Never make that mistake again. Basically if I had what the agent had told me in writing then it wouldn't be an issue. However they have missed up on this so I feel very angry and upset about it.

Well they have acknowledged the new date is a week earlier than previously mentioned

Do you hvae "previously mentioned" in writing??

Gits, by the way, and very unprofessional

Wow! Just got an email from them to say that as no one had really told me anything and that they were basically to blame (of course didn't specifically say that but am reading between lines) they are covering the rent for the week that the property will be empty - so relieved. Thank you for all your posts. Will stop crying and ranting now and go and pour myself a big drink!

cool! love a happy ending.

Thats fabby news! Good! Now look foward to your move.

Good!

Was just going to say we had a similar problem with one of our landlords - you are not obliged to pay anything after you have vacated the property. If they change their minds (again) tell them to jog on!