Left bad review of letting agent - now being harassed

Pixie5740

What's the difference between leaving a negative review for a letting agency and a hotel or restaurant?


I wouldn't put up with the LA's harassment. Write to the LA and tell them that if they persist in harassing you then you will contact the police.

martindow

The OP needs to look at their review to be absolutely sure it is completely factual. It is very easy to go a bit over the top if you write it when angry or annoyed.

If when you look at it in the cold light of day there are parts that you would be hard pressed to defend it may be wise to rewrite those parts. It may well still be negative and critical of the service you received but it will take away any worries about possibly libellous comments.

If they continue their tirade I would add this information to your review.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Guest101 wrote: »

As long as they have written the truth, there's no libel.

The onus would be on the LA to prove they were lying, the OP would just need to show they were reasonable in their review.

Link would be helpful (if just for a laugh )

More nonsense from Guest101.

Burden of proof in UK libel law is reversed from the usual standard - it falls on the defendent to prove they were being truthful. It's only been that way since 1936 :cool:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmcumeds/362/36206.htm

Guest101

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

More nonsense from Guest101.

Burden of proof in UK libel law is reversed from the usual standard - it falls on the defendent to prove they were being truthful. It's only been that way since 1936 :cool:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmcumeds/362/36206.htm

Really any need to be rude?

jjlandlord

In any, being sued for libel is very expensive. It's not just a question of not caring because one has written the truth.

These guys are a company, they may have resources and they may be willing to use them to protect their reputation.

OP should take that risk into consideration.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

jjlandlord wrote: »

In any, being sued for libel is very expensive. It's not just a question of not caring because one has written the truth.

Based on my experience of letting agents, they will guff and bluster using words that sound vaguely legal, but will have zero knowledge of libel law, and will probably find their written records are so poor any solicitor they employ wouldn't be able to make much of a case of anything.

The Praise & Vent board here is full of companies being named and shamed for poor customer service (most often banks, supermarkets and courier companies). Are letting agents exempt for some reason?

sartois

jjlandlord wrote: »

These guys are a company, they may have resources and they may be willing to use them to protect their reputation.

This also works the other way too... remember the hotel in Blackpool that used their position 'as a company' to charge £100 for every bad review... the Daily Wail loves this sort of stuff.

Anyway, any chance of a link to this review.. would be keen to know who to avoid doing business with in future

gibson1

I agree with much of what has been said here.

Simply tell them, you provided a bad service and now you have a bad review.
If they are threatening you, then inform the police straight away as threatening someone is an offense. From that point on, inform the police of every time they threaten you and get a reference. The police would probably give them a call.

You could also get a solicitors letter, though that would cost something.
Check in with Citizens advice also.

Its tempting to shout, swear and intimidate back. I'm actually going through a similar thing with a letting agent myself. Keep a cool head, and remember that when the other person gets angry and loses their control, they've already lost.

Guest101

gibson1 wrote: »

I agree with much of what has been said here.

Simply tell them, you provided a bad service and now you have a bad review.
If they are threatening you, then inform the police straight away as threatening someone is an offense. From that point on, inform the police of every time they threaten you and get a reference. The police would probably give them a call.

You could also get a solicitors letter, though that would cost something.
Check in with Citizens advice also.

Its tempting to shout, swear and intimidate back. I'm actually going through a similar thing with a letting agent myself. Keep a cool head, and remember that when the other person gets angry and loses their control, they've already lost.

Bit more specific, threatening some with violence is a crime ( not sure what damage has been done, but hey it's England...)

Threatening someone with court action is not a crime.

dacouch

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

More nonsense from Guest101.

Burden of proof in UK libel law is reversed from the usual standard - it falls on the defendent to prove they were being truthful. It's only been that way since 1936 :cool:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmcumeds/362/36206.htm

Do you realise the libel laws changed last year making the claimant needing to show they've suffered serious harm?