Oh dear Niamh. It does sound like a very stressful situation. Unfortunately it sounds like these friends are taking you for a ride.
I would call the residential tenancies tribunal to see if there IS anything you can do to protect yourselves until you can get out of there! My advice to you would be to always have an agreement even if it is with friends! I hope you get it sorted soon hun.

Well, Seven giggled for me today! I was bouncing her on my knees and making a clicking noise with my tongue. Apparently its funny! THATS going in the baby book. Im just disappoineted DF didn't get to hear it.