They are right. One of my neigbors (an English guy) was in exactly the same position. His contract was at an end and the landlord tried to put the rent up by a huge amount or told him to get out in 2 weeks. My neighbor contacted a lawyer and took advice. He pays his original rental amount directly to the court and is staying in the apartment. The landlord (also my landlord) is very angry but there is nothing he can do about it. I will do the same thing if he tries the same thing with me.

Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary. Mahatma Gandhi