It sounds like you might be renting from a larger apartment complex… the communication doesn’t seem to be getting through about your verbal agreement. I would suggest talking directly with the person you made the verbal agreement with. (Stick a tape recorder in your pocket) and ask them why they are backing out of the agreement they made with you. Hopefully you can get them to admit that they made the agreement, then you will have proof on your tape recorder.
Next time get them to put it in writting, I always give my tenants written confirmation of all agreements.

I can tell you NOT to with-hold your rent from them… I bet there’s some clause in the lease that says something about how they don’t have to honor verbal agreements. You are really in a bad spot. I with-held rent from a landlord only to find that he took me to court and won, now my credit is all messed up. Have you checked with the RPA, I never used it, but it looks like they could help you if you filed a complaint. They might be able to interveen, it’ll cost you $35 though.