Housing Benefit, Difficult Situation, Stupid Agent and Landlord Authorisation..?

I can't see any way of getting around this one other then asking your agent for the landlords contact details, he must provide them on you asking for them. If he want provide them, give the council a ring, state that you have asked the agent for the landlords details but they won't get back to you. The council should be able to get the information from the agent themselves if you give them the agents details. If that gets you no where, you might want to seek professional advice from the CAB, who will write to the agent themselves. But be quick, if you don't give the council all the details they need by the date set, they will cancel your claim and you will ahev to start again!