I'm very glad things are getting sorted out for now, but I'm sure you'll be happier once you find a new flat. Good luck! 
Thanks
We met with the Housing Advice Bureau and the gentleman we spoke with said he felt we had a strong enough case to get our full rent back, including the last month's worth, due to the fact that it was clear they hadn't performed their basic obligations of cleaning or inspecting the flat before we moved in and it's been a steady stream of problems since. DH and I then met with the agent, and we laid out everything pretty plainly. We inspected our flat before this meeting and found more problems (radiator in 2nd bdrm doesnt work, every window in the house is rotted through, has been painted over and can't be opened, and needs replacing...).
The agent kept restating that he'd talk to the landlord but the landlord would just say, "They saw it before the rented it, they chose it." to which I replied, "Yes, but we're not from here. We were very vulnerable at the time and one might look at it from the point of view that we were taken advantage of. We also could not have anticipated these problems before moving in anyhow." I also told him that based upon the advice of a solicitor we felt we were entitled to move without repercussion, and entitled to a full refund. The agent again said he'd talk to the LL, and come out to see the flat for himself.
He arrived with the company's repairman about a half hour after our meeting. The repairman took one look at our windows and said, "If I try to unseal these the whole thing will fall down. These are done. This isn't good, [agent's name]." We also pointed out all the cracks in the ceiling to which he voiced similar concerns. The repairman took a screwdriver and was digging out huge chunks of rotted wood from EVERY window... he said he'd give the landlord a quote on replacing them all. He then agreed that the rear door needs replacing due to a big gap the entire way between the door and wall, and due to the lock not working properly. He also mentioned the front door locks were not all working.
DH and I think the agent was a bit taken back at the state of the flat... I think we'll have some good news today. The landlord definitely isn't going to want to pay for new windows to be put in throughout the house, new doors and locks, etc... I honestly think it's in both of our best interests to agree to surrender the lease. We'll see, I guess.
