> They told me they would clean the flat before I move, but thy
> did not. The person (independant company) who did the inventory
> also wrote in the inventory "not cleaned for tenancy".

Did you chase them on that ? Especially with the inventory specifying that....


> This afternoon, they sent someone to repair the toilets, while
> I was away. This person ate the food I bought the day before.
> Moreover, he or she did not lock the door while leaving, but only
> shut it.

Again, you must complain in writing to your landlord. By the way, the
way it works here is that the Landlord insure the structural house (flood, fire, etc.), while you must get insurance for the contents. It's his duty to install a fire alarm, and have a yearly CORGI certificate on the gas installation.


> The agency has a set of keys of my flat, so that they can come
> at any time while I am not here.

Not exactly, I quote:

<<Your landlord cannot enter the property without your permission or stop you having overnight guests. You should let in the landlord to do repairs but he or she should give you 24 hours notice except in an emergency.>>
Repairing the loo might qualify for an emergency, but that's really stretching the definition. Note that this doesn't apply if you rent a bedsit, a houseshare, or if the landlord provides the cleaning.



> If they can eat my food, they may steal things which have more
> value such as money or else. Is it legal ? I mean o they have
> the rights to own a set of keys of the flat I rent and for
> which I pay ?
They do, although nothing prevents you to change the lock of the door, as long as you put it back in state when you leave. Be careful as well, that previous tenants may still have the keys, this is an even better reason to change the keys ! (Hell, I still have the double of the keys for my flat from 3 years ago...).


> Moreover, it is written in the contract that I may not leave
> the flat before 6 months after the date I moved in. What are my
> rights as a foreign tenant ?
Be careful as well, as there may be a 2 month warning period. This is quite usual. You could come to an agreement with the landlord that if you find a replacement, he should let you leave earlier, but he is not required to do so (although if he charges a one-off fee, he might consider it a good deal). Read your contract carefully.


> Who may I adress to have some help
> understand the law in the UK regarding that kind of issue.

Shockingly, I always found the Police to be of great help when I needed orientation, even at 1 am (for some noisy neighbours). But in this case, it's a bit too specific.

Although a bit old, the law governing your rent is "The Landlord and Tenant act". You can find some help on your issues about it at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Have a look at this page :
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nw/index/ ... ousing.htm

To find your C.A.B, look at:
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml

Good luck, and keep us informed.
-Lam (I'm french too by the way).

 

Good Information. Definitely a tenant has the right to live in your accommodation without being disturbed. They have the right to have control over their home so that their landlord and other people cannot freely enter whenever they want to. For referral you can check out some good information for tenants at http://www.plazaestates.co.uk/propertie ... or-tenants .A landlord cannot limit or otherwise interfere with a tenants right to live in their accommodation or they could be found guilty of harassment.

 

Before you rent

Your landlord cannot discriminate against you because of your:

Race, place of origin or ethnic origin;
Religion;
Sex, age, sexual orientation or marital status;
Family status; or
Disability.

For example, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you are a newcomer to Canada or because you have children.

Read New to Canada and Facing Discrimination in Housing? [PDF] for more information.
After you move in

Once you move into your home, you have important rights. Some of these rights include the right to:

A Safe Home: Your home must be safe and in good repair. This is true even if you knew about the problems before you agreed to rent the home.
Vital Services: You must have access to heat, hot and cold water, electricity, and fuel (such as natural gas). Your landlord cannot shut-off these services, even if you have not paid your rent. Your landlord may shut-off services for a short time so that they can make repairs. Your landlord might pay for vital services; or you might pay for them.
Heat: Your landlord must heat your home from September 1 to June 15. The landlord has to make sure the heat is at 20°C or more. Some cities have a higher heat standard. Check with your local government to find out more about minimum heat standards in your community.
Privacy: Your landlord can enter your home only for certain reasons. For example, your landlord can enter your home to make repairs or show the home to possible tenants or in an emergency.
Controlled rent increases: Your landlord may raise your rent once in a 12-month period. The amount of the increase has to be within legal limits.
Protection from unlawful eviction: You can be evicted for certain reasons only. If your landlord tries to evict you, you have the right to a hearing with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Children in the home: You have the right to have children living in your home. Your children and family have the right to make a "reasonable" amount of noise.
Documents: You have a right to a written copy of your tenancy agreement, written notice of your landlord's legal name and address, and rent receipts.

You can contact a legal clinic or housing help centre for more information. To find help in your area, go to Services Near Me.

As a tenant, you also have responsibilities. Please read What are my responsibilities as a tenant? to find out more.