[Penny Moneyless]

Hi there!

I am shocked about the lack of professionalism combined with greediness in this country!

I payed after I agreed to rent a flat in Brockley via Acorn the deposit and the "reference check fee". The agent promised me that I can move in next Saturday (5 working days). I packed my stuff arranged a removal team and provided all the paper work. We had our differences about 3 bank statements, because they had already the reference from my boss. They really harassed me with copies from whatsoever papers they wanted. Every day it was an other reference/paper they wanted. After they had everything they demanded the communication stopped and I went in the office in Lewisham after work.

And the agent said that there are problems with the re-mortgage of the landlord!! And I can't move in the next day. The earliest would be following Monday. Impossible for me, so I said next Saturday (today). I had to cancel the removal team on very short notice.

Then they were stalling the process again and the communication stopped again when they knew that they could not keep the promised date. And again less than 24 hours before I was supposed to move they had not the paperwork from the mortgage lender and landlord back and cancelled the appointment at about 5 pm. I had no other choice to cancel the removal team again - they had to turn down other jobs and want a cancellation fee. Understandable. And I have to beg my landlord to let me stay in the flat. But I can't turst this agents anymore. I don't know what I should do now!

I know that the law in this country regarding housing is not the optimum, but I really want to know if there are any legal ways to get a compensation for all this inconvenience and grief this greedy people give and gave me. How can they put a property on the market, when they must have known that the landlord has financial problems. Confirm the move in and cancel it then on short notice.

[Bluey]

Contact Shelter to see if there is a legal ground for you to claim compensation though there should be nothing to stop you negotiating for some in the meantime.

By the sounds of it, the agent is being let down by the landlord.

Despite your dealings with the agent, usually the primary legal relationship is between the tenant and the landlord - the agent is merely a representative for the landlord and all the docs you sign are actually with the landlord with whom the agent has an additional contract and whom they sign the docs on his behalf.

If the landlord is going through financial problems, I can't see how you can get money out of them.

I also don't understand why a private arrange between landlord and lender (re-mortgage) would hold up a letting unless they mean that the landlord does not have permission to let out the property (they have a residential, not buy to let mortgage) or haven't kept up payments and it's being repossessed.

However, Shelter will be able to advise you who you should be seeking compensation from and whether the agent or landlord is responsible for the expenses and disruption you've incurred.