Ex Landlord Threatening behaviour

far2812

Following a disastrous tenancy, (carbon monoxide poisoning ) my best friend moved out 6 weeks ago of a property.

She has moved to a new flat in a golf club which suits her perfectly.

The ex-landlady has called the Golf Club stating all sorts of things that she is a thief, she owes her £1,500 for damage to the property etc etc. This is a total lie - this woman is demented. The house was immaculate when she left.

The ex-landlady told the Golf club she is sending bailiffs around - obviously the golf club are mortified and certainly don't want bailiffs on their property.

She has tried calling the landlady but she is not responding - what can we do?

ILW

Baliffs can only be sent once a court order has been granted.

far2812

What do we do about stopping her calling the Golf Club? She is causing a lot of stress x

fivetide

Sounds like a lot of bluster assuming that the house was left as you say.

However, did she leave properly, giving notice etc? If not then the landlord might be able to convince someone to take up the debt.

Having a baliff round is hardly a big issue. It's not like they tend to have great big sirens etc. Helps them try to get in the door.

Have a look at this if it does go that far http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGQF_3zINdg

picklepick

I'd be reporting her to the police for harassment.

far2812

My friend left on the date agreed and left the property in lovely condition - however the landlady is stating that there is £1,000 of damage?????????

My friend put new carpets down - repainted magnolia walls etc - to give you an idea.

She is now terrified that the Golf club will ask her to leave because of the harrassment they are getting from this woman.

I so very much appreciate all advice.

fivetide

Note the calls and as above, look at reporting the harassment.

Does she have pictures of the place when she arrived/left? Was an inventory done that she signed? did she have a protected deposit and get that back etc etc etc?

far2812

She has pictures of when she left because I took them - it was lovely and clean. Yes protected deposit but the landlady has listed things like dirty carpets (so need replacing at £700) - the carpets are only 3months old!!

Fire_Fox

Do not contact the landlady by telephone, deal with her in writing only and keep records of everything. Contact the police or a solicitor about the threats and harassment.

Yorkie1

Eton Rifle properly separates the two issues.

On the second point, I agree that this can constitute the offence of harassment. Keep detailed records and make a report to the police. They will doubtless try to dismiss it as only a civil dispute but that is legally incorrect.

If there is a dispute about the property there are proper ways of resolving it, and resorting to unreasonable methods is specifically barred in the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

princeofpounds

If this happens more than once, then it's a case of harrassment ('a course of conduct intended to cause alarm or distress').

This can be a criminal offence, but in this instance it is probably best to view it as the 'civil tort' which is also defined by the act, unless it becomes particularly repeated or intimidatory.

What would I do? I would send the landlord a warning letter making the following points:
- telling her to cease contacting the golf club for matter which is between you and her only.
- that she should not be making false accusations in public (this refers only to the thievery, not the damages)
- that such conduct constitutes harrassment, which can be a civil and criminal offence, and could be slanderous.
- to communicate with you only in writing and deal with any dispute through proper channels

If you have the £, it will have extra force coming from a solicitor. If you write something yourself, I'd avoid making it too legalese - neither you nor I will probably get the language right. And also keep it short and with *no* emotion, it's just not relevant.

I would then keep a diary of everything she says/does, including times/dates/content/witnesses. I would also report it to the police and ask for a reference of the report (doubt you'll get a crime number).

This will be your evidence should you need to proceed to a legal solution, which in the first instance would probably be a restraining order, unless she elevates it to a criminal level.

This probably won't be that hard to get or too expensive (ok, you have to pay for a lawyer and court, so it won't be free, but it won't take a large amount of time normally). Hopefully it will never get that far.