To think the estate agent is taking the p***?

[galbraith]

DP and will shortly be moving from one rented flat to another. So far we have had to cough up the equivalent of one month of our combined salaries, sign EIGHT versions of the contract (things keep getting added and removed), and now our check-in to the new place has been changed for no apparent reason, meaning we'll have to re-book our removal van, installation of various things, etc - losing even more money in the process.

If only we could afford to I'd tell them to stuff their flat and find a different one with someone who can do their job properly

Bill them for the inconvenience. Say there will be a £30 admin fee, a £20 handling charge and invoice them for the costs incurred! That's what they'd do if it was the other way around.

This is why I no longer deal with estate agents and do it all myself. They are parasites.

Agree, parasites. Are you going to have to go through this again? I had to make three moves each six months after the other not too long ago and it crippled me, emotionally and financially. Can you get yourself into social housing, or insist on a longer term let? The rental situation in this country is disgusting, no security for tenants and no opportunity to make a home when by the time you've unpacked everything, you've only got another 5 months of security, sigh. Unfortunately the estate agents have you in a bind and much as it would be amazing to tell them to go stuff themselves and their fees, it's not possible if they're you're only route away from homelessness.

Thanks everyone, it's so reassuring for someone to sympathise and not just say "OOh wait until you're buying a house, that's FAR more stressful!" , which drives me MAD as a) as if we'll ever be able to afford it and b) at least you know you can't get chucked out at a month's notice if you own! Grrr....

Noodle Really sorry to hear what you've been through , hope you're in a more secure situation now. It's the powerlessness and insecurity that really gets to me, too.