Thank you all for your advice, it has been most helpful. Steve

I wonder if anyone could answer the following question. We have found a property we wish to rent via an agency we have paid their administration fee and credit check fee of £285.00. Initially we did not want to start the tenancy until the end of August this was rejected and we agreed to start from 6th July 2012, however since then we have found the agency very slow in their communication and doing their searches. On the 10th July they stated they had now received all the information they required and would send the tenancy agreement to us once the 1st months rent and deposit was paid into there account £1487.50. This was done today 11th July we hope to receive the Tenancy Agreement to sign, the agents have stated that the 6th July is still our tenancy start date which we feel is unfair. It was not our fault the delays occurred and we therefore should not have to start our tenancy before we have the right to move in. We argued this and they came back and agreed a new tenancy start date of Monday 9th July, we are still unhappy with this but do not want to loose the flat because of it, I have said that we will proceed but reserve the right to take this matter up with them at a later date. Are the agents acting within the Law, it does not seem right to ask for rent when the property is not available for use. Steve