Hi,

I would like some help with a tenancy agreement i have with a lettings agency. Just before i mention about the agreement i would like to state how angry i am with them about the condition of the place and how the agency deal with us, the day we moved all the doors were not fixed and we leaning aganist the walls and the place was minty, i made a complaint and they said it would take 14 days to responed (this was 2nd April) they done the doors a week later but still waiting for a response from my complaint (today is 6th nov).

Anyway back to my point about my tenancy, we sign 6months at a time. We are into are 2nd 6 months which started 1st Oct 2009, but we want out due to the fact that we are not happy with the service they provide and also we have just had a baby. When we signed the new agreement we asked whther they had a small home for rent due to the fact we are currently on the 3rd floor with no lift and a new baby, they said they never but if one became available then we could cancel are current agreement and move to the new one because they agreement was still with them but when we asked them we wanted to walk away altogether they said no because it is down to the landlord but what if we swapped the agreement to a house they get would we be leaving the landlord anyway.

I would like some information on how or if we have any right to cancel our agreement.

Thanks

You have entered into a new 6 month agreement and that is a contract that is binding on both parties. Unless it is specifically written into the agreement that you could break it early, then you are bound by its terms for the full six months - just like any other contract you might enter into.

If the landlord or agent is willing, at their discretion, to let you break the contract without penalty, then that is entirely up to them. I don't think that on the basis of what you have said the landlord / agent has acted unreasonably. If the house had more serious issues that they hadn't dealt with or if the promised something (as part of your agreeing to the let) which they didn't deliver then you might have an argument.

If I were you I'd go back to the agent and attempt to resolve your housing problems with them i.e. see if they or the landlord they act for have another property you could take. Alternatively, wait 4 more months, then give your months notice and find another place.