Can tenants leave early over landlord access and disputed rent reduction?

[Boopeedoop]

Hello. Renters rights question.

Someone has just moved into a new rental property 2 months ago. The landlord is the direct attached neighbour.

Turns out, quite honestly, they are batshit and the relationship has broken down. Renters have had to call police, the landlord has slashed themselves all over for attention, says one thing and does another, got the renter to agree to do works to the grounds in exchange for rent reduction. (Agreed via text) And has now told letting agent that no rent reduction is to take place. The works carried out are worth thousands.

Also issues with drugs with the landlord. Honestly you couldn't make it up.

Landlord also lets themselves into property when renter's are out. (CCTV confirms).

Electricity for external of property (both) runs from renters property so they are paying for all external lighting, landlords freezer etc, power to landlords garage. This was never mentioned and not in contract.

Letting agent insists on 2 months notice.

Can they insist on the rent reduction as the landlord confirmed it in writing, even though they have now changed their mind?

Can they leave early without financial penalty?

The stress is making renter unwell.

I’d ask for the money back for the electricity. You could turn everything off in your house and measure what’s being used and then multiply by the number of days you’ve been there.
Rent reduction was agreed and is evidenced.

You could report the landlord to the council for harassment given he is letting himself in, and apply for a rent repayment order.
but in answer to your question - 1. The new rent has been agreed, and 2. Take advice from shelter but I think you might not need to give 2 months notice. How much have you spent on works v how much is the rent?

The rent is £1500 pcm
The works come into the mid £2500 +

Is there anywhere evidenced about being able to leave early? The letting agent is holding firm on this.

Send the landlord an invoice for the work done + electric they have used + agreed rental reduction (they agreed you have evidence). Deduct that off the two months rent & pay whats left and leave.

The Ll would need to agree to them leaving early, due to renters right bill the notice period is 2 months now.

Easiest is to contact the police about the harassment. If you can get a protection order, then they can seek another rental under police advisement.

Leave the property, turn in the keys to the agency. Keep all the documentation.

Raise a dispute if the deposit isn’t returned.

Only if the landlord had not already breached the contract. They can legally leave with no notice if the police accept their report of harassment and potential fraud. It is illegal for a landlord to extort money from a tenant for the betterment of their property or to pay their personal utility bills.

Letting agent is wrong and I’d file a complaint with ARLA or Propertymark

Try Fundamental Breach

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_breach