UK Landlord Forum / Life

We are in the process of discussing and signing the contract for AHT as Tenants. Letting Agency (LA) has sent us a contract, to which we provided several points. For instance, we would like to be able to hang picture frames (without damaging the property) and have an occasional family guest who could stay with us up to 2 weeks at a time, and some other reasonable points.

However, now LA refuses to make these amendments in the contract, without any explanation except saying that 'they must stay as it'
The point is that they provided us with the contract draft almost 2 weeks after the offer has been made, while the contract is about to start in 10 days and they are quite aware that we need to move, hence I suspect they simply time pressure us into signing their standard boiler-plate contract.

Is there anything we could do? Anyone worth complaining to in order to resolve this situation? Once again, none of our suggested amendments are unreasonable and detrimental to the Landlord, it is simply LA is unprofessional.

Why is the letting agent being unprofessional ? They are working for the landlord,not you,and they don't have to agree to your amendments. The matters you mention would not ordinarily have to be added to a contract,but by raising them,I as a landlord,would be wondering if you were going to be a pain in the future.You have not moved in,and already you are looking to complain to some authority (good luck with that)  and get into conflict?

well, the sad irony of your comment just shows how unprotected the rights of tenants in this country.

It's not that. There's a contract up for signing... you can either do that or choose not to. If you are over a barrel then that is the situation. You must always be able to walk away from something you're not happy with. If you've not provided yourself this option that - really - is your problem. To the Agent / Landlord you are currently an unknown quantity, a risk if you like - so they have no obligation to do anything. Now, on the other hand, there is the concept of brinkmanship... chicken... but I fear (if the property is any good, and let at a fair price) you will be forced to blink first. You get your rights as a Tenant once you are a Tenant - at this moment in time the best you are is a prospective Tenant... a possible customer... almost a stranger.

By the way... no-one can stop you hanging pictures or having guests. I don't know what an AHT is... do you mean AST?