We sound so similar...hubby works abroad a lot too , pain in the bum in terms of signing paperwork etc! I think there are some definite porkies told, they just try to keep everybody happy but aren't efficient enough to keep on top of things...unless it's asking for their fee!
Have you spoken to landlady yet to give her a heads up. Ours were great, we were hoping to be out by the end of our contract on Nov 26th...I ended up having surgery mid November, so I was pregnant, poorly and weak for 3 weeks after and just couldn't move. They were brilliant and gave us until 13th December which was great breathing space. Xx