Agents won’t give a reference without notice in a fully paid fixed term agreement

Saturday 12 May 2024 8:42:24 am

Hi all, any ideas or help is much appreciated.

Our Story:
We have lived in the same property for 3.5 years and have always been good tenants, paying 6 months rent on time and upfront as I was self employed at the time we started renting the property.
Our current fixed term contract expires on 9th Oct 2018.
Last year my wife fell very ill and now has very limited mobility so we have made the hard decision of relocating back to the North West (200 miles) to be near my wife’s family for more of a support network.
We found a great property (bungalow) and have decided to go for it.

The plan:
The idea was for us to get the keys to the new property at end of May but not move until the school summer, so the kids finish their school year in their current school. I was planning on then getting the current property straight and giving the letting agents two months notice but with free rein to come and go as they wish showing people round etc.
At no point did we want to cut the tenancy short or reclaim monies etc.

The problem:
We informed the current letting agents we were submitting an application and have put their details down for a landlord reference. They got back to us yesterday stating “we can’t give a reference without notice and notice must be given no earlier than 2 months before the fixed contract end date” - aaarrrggghhhhh
This will result in refusal of current application and means are dream home will go to someone else.
I am shocked, disgusted and so angry at this situation.
They have a disibility clause in the contract which we can use to cut the tenancy short, which will mean I will also reclaim rent etc. This now means our landlord is going to loose out all because the letting agents wouldn’t give a reference!

Am I right in thinking the letting agents are being overly stubborn and harsh?
Has anybody had a similar experience or has anybody got any suggestions?

Many thanks for taking the time to read.
Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Mike