Help! Issues with letting agent and landlord

[clair7919]

I was a tenant at a property for 18 months until I was left no choice but to move out.

Basically in December 07 I received a letter at the property advising that the bank for my landlord was seeking possession of the flat and a court hearing was taking place. I took the letter into my letting agent who advised me there was nothing to worry about and they would pass it onto the landlord. In February 08 I had a letter advising me that in 10 days the court was seeking possession and the flat had been ordered with an eviction notice. Again I tried to get clarification on the situation and I was told again verbally there was nothing to worry about. On the date of the eviction the landlord went to court and had it suspended. After speaking to the court I have found out that the landlord is in trouble with several properties and court orders are against them all.

I put in writing that I was planning to leave the proprty by the eviction notice and because it was less than a month I would still be wanting my full deposit back - which I did get back.

My concerns are that the letting agent did not offer me alternative accommodation until I had got rid of all of my furniture.

I lost all my furniture for which I am still paying for.

The letting agent has not kept me informed or told me the truth throughout all this stress.

Due to the short notice I lost 3 and half days work and also childcare costs. Had to take my son out of school in order to be able to move. I work about an hr away from where I live.

I was requested to leave the flat in the state it was before (painting all walls, covering holes where pictires had been) all in the couple of days I was able to move.

I was not allowed to stay in the property with the gurantee that nothing would happen to my belongings if the eviction notice took place.

When a friend of the family contacted the landlords solicitor to advise that I was a tennant in the property, they gave the impression the property was not rented out. They advised that I did need to leave the property.

I have written complaint letters to both the letting agent and landlord to which I have not a response in writing from either. The letting agent has telephoned me to say they are not offering me any form of compensation and that is their final decision and they would not be writing back to me.

I have now had to move back to my parents with my 6yr son which is very inpractical and no longer have any furniture due to the short notice and costs of storeage.

Where do I stand in terms of taking them both to court?

[Conniff]

I think that you have a valid claim.

Even when a house owner goes bankrupt and the house is taken by the official receiver, where children are concerned, you are given 12 months notice.