I have formally asked her to pay the current month’s rent plus any rent until I can find a replacement tenant.

Or just do a formal letter where i sign and she signs take it to the notary and then we are good to go.

We gave the landlord a formal notice on july 1st, telling him we will be withholding our rent until he fixes the problem, nothing has been done to fix the problem yet the manager is asking us for the rent already.

No formal contracts4.

It doesn't matter if it's a formal mentoring program or just another agent that has agreed to train you.

Agree with formalizing my request in writing.

Let them know you want all rental related communications in writing, otherwise they will knock on your door and tell you about the leaking faucet at 9:30 p.m. there is nothing wrong with being friendly with your neighbors, but the tenant landlord relationship should remains more formal.

I'd have the discussion verbally in advance, and then formalize in a lease addendum.

Yeah, I would recommend with this change in circumstances, you try and formalize things with an agreement. 

@Adam Ruiz submit a formal request for your EMD back and do not sign anything releasing the contract for them to relist the property.