How do we get out of this.

[Newtenants]

Ok, not what I want to hear but accepted. We will be smarter next time we are looking.

The agent is telling us that they haven't been able to contact the landlord so can't give us a time-frame regarding repairs.

The agent is also ignoring our requests for a copy of the lease and gas safety certificate. I am starting to think that this may be because the landlord hasn't actually signed the lease yet and that maybe they don't have a gas safety cert. I know that if a gas safety cert doesn't appear I can complain to the local HSE office. But, in the meantime, can I claim that the flat is unfit? I presume that it is unlawful for them to give us the keys if the landlord hasn't signed and the gas safety has not been checked, but is there actually anything that you can do about this (without hiring a lawyer)?

[Newtenants]

Also, the agent wont speak to us on the phone and the only contact we have is via email, so we haven't had the chance to have a really frank conversation and it is easy for them to just pick and choose which parts of our emails to actually respond to.

[PaulF]

But, in the meantime, can I claim that the flat is unfit? I presume that it is unlawful for them to give us the keys if the landlord hasn't signed and the gas safety has not been checked, but is there actually anything that you can do about this (without hiring a lawyer)?

It's definitely not fit for purpose and you can give the landlord 7 days to put matters right otherwise you will engage somebody else to do so and deduct it all from the rent. That's your lawful remedy.

[Snorkerz]

Lack of a signature is a red herring - tenancy agreements for less than 3 years don't even have to be in writing, let alone signed. Chances are that the agency had the authority to sign the tenancy agreement and they are just disorganised. Can you not decamp at the agencies office one lunchtime?

You may want the landlords details - ask in writing and the agency have to give that info within 21 days, it is a criminal offence not to do so.

[Newtenants]

Thanks all for your advice.

It turns out that the builder can't find the source of the ceiling leak and it might take some time to fix so they have offered to release us from the contract or stay rent free until the leak is fixed.

So, back to house hunting.