Landlord refusing to give us reference to stop us leaving

[ChuffMuffin]

I posted a big thread a while ago but I can't find it to link, so I'll quickly summarise.

Landlord was + is (unbeknownst to us at the time of moving in) bankrupt. Whole building + 50 other flats have been repossessed. LL lodged an appeal which again was refused. His bankruptcy order was made in 2010 and still cannot be set to be lifted because he hasn't complied with the terms in his bankruptcy order. We got a letter on Jubilee weekend telling us we had to go ASAP.

We have found a new flat and are all ready to move out. Except our LL won't give us a reference because a) he truly believes he's going to get all his properties back and b), he's going on holiday and, in his words, "he doesn't want a bunch of random people he doesn't know living in his properties when he gets back" - note mate, THEY'RE NOT YOUR FRIGGING PROPERTIES AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THEM BACK!

We've seen him a few times and asked him for the reference, which he's really vague about. We told him we needed it by today really (although we've still got 2 weeks) and he was like "I'll see what I can do.. or they can ring me.." but we ring him and he doesn't answer our calls, we text him and he ignores us. He was here yesterday, said he'd come to see us after he'd seen a tenant. We waited and then realised he'd legged it.

In the very worst case scenario, if he won't give us a reference what can we do about our new flat? We've already paid a holding fee and have all our other documents. I've never rented before so have no renting history and my DP is not from the UK so he doesn't either. We also paid in cash for our rent, thankfully we have all the receipts from 2010 onwards.

Any advice would be gratefully received! :(

could you give your employers as a reference? perhaps look at the possibility of having a Guarantor if the new agents/LL feel they need one.

I would explain to your new LL. if your current one has 50 properties he's likely to be known in the business and I should imagine they know about the bankruptcy.

If your LL is now bankrupt he isn't your LL any more, so cannot give you notice to quit. As soon as he is made bankrupt his assets, including your home, transfer to the Official Receiver. If I were you I'd check with them what to do. It may well be that you leaving the property places you in breach of your tenancy agreement, that hasn't been properly terminated.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Went round to see building manager today for a general moan about LL (the manager is lovely :)) and LL was there! So after pressurising from both of us I now have a reference and we're officially out of here.