Landlord/ contract question.?

Question

so basically, me and 5 of my mates signed a contract to a house based on the agreement that the landlady would fix the things that were broken.

when it came to moving in.. suprise suprise non of it was done PLUS new things were wrong with the house!

it was extremely dirty and messy with piles of stuff left there from the last tennants.

so we all decided to write her a letter giving her 2 weeks to fix the stuff. again she didnt do the stuff so we kinda hinted that we would just rather get out of the contract.

she took this hint and wrote us a letter saying that we were released from the contract. saying that if were so unhappy then thats ok and we were now free to seek alternative accommodation.

well anyway, she foned one of us last nite saying that she wasnt sure what her legal stance was and is sure that we all owe her rent for the year.

this is ridiculous isnt it??

i just want to make sure that im right and that fromthe minute she wrote the letter releasing us that was the contract over?

shes an oldish lady playing the dithering confused old lady card.

she definately has no hold over us does she?

any advice would be great thanks.

Answer 1

if she released you from the contract you can move and you don't owe her anything. If you stay longer than 30 days once you've been released she can ask that you pay rent.

Answer 2

If she released you from the contract, it's over.

You do not owe her anything, provided that you all moved out.  

Answer 3

If she WROTE you a letter releasing you from the contract.

That's it...move out...you are done.