Lodger's room stinks of smoke and left it in a mess

paddy's_mum

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

What a load of tosh. Ignore, change your locks, keep a record of all his attempts to intimidate in case you need to report the harassment to the police.

Given how idiotic this stupid man's threats are, I'd be inclined to report it to the Police in any case, simply so that there is a record of the attempted intimidation.

Silvertabby

As above.

Do you know (or care) where he is living now? Just thinking that any future landlord may approach you for a reference....

Comms69

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Agreed:T

Even if he went as far as having you sent a solicitors letter - that's probably meaningless. I very much doubt he will send you a solicitor letter at that - not when we're talking £100 or more for him to do so.

It's no big deal even if he did. I've had one twice in my life before now (one from previous lodgers) and both times I just explained what was what to said solicitor verbally and that was the end of that:rotfl:

Remember also I can pay a solicitor to pretty much say anything, they just caveat by saying:


My client claims
My client believes
etc.


Solicitor gets paid regardless win or lose in court.

TBagpuss

I agree with others that his letter is a load of rubbish. If he does have a law degree (which is possible, although it seems rather unlikely!) it obviously didn't do him a lot of good !

As you've already made the appropriate deductions and returned the balance of deposit I'd ignore it, but do keep copies of this any anything else you get, plus receipts for anything you bought to clean/fix the room, and proof of the payment you sent him, so that in the unlikely event that he does try to take you to court, you can proove what you did.

I'd also consider logging the threatening texts with the police as harassment, so if it continues you can ask them to take action (the Protection from Harassment act refers specifically to 'a course of conduct' so police often interpret this to mean they have to have had at least 2 separate reports before they can take any action)

If you haven't yet got rid of the smell, then both bicarb. as suggested above, and white vinegar, can be good at absorbing and getting rid of smells.

Comms69

paddy's_mum wrote: »

Given how idiotic this stupid man's threats are, I'd be inclined to report it to the Police in any case, simply so that there is a record of the attempted intimidation.

I think this may be a waste of police time. This isn't really intimidation, it's someone failing at basic pre-action protocols.

Comms69

TBagpuss wrote: »

I agree with others that his letter is a load of rubbish. If he does have a law degree (which is possible, although it seems rather unlikely!) it obviously didn't do him a lot of good !

As you've already made the appropriate deductions and returned the balance of deposit I'd ignore it, but do keep copies of this any anything else you get, plus receipts for anything you bought to clean/fix the room, and proof of the payment you sent him, so that in the unlikely event that he does try to take you to court, you can proove what you did.

I'd also consider logging the threatening texts with the police as harassment, so if it continues you can ask them to take action (the Protection from Harassment act refers specifically to 'a course of conduct' so police often interpret this to mean they have to have had at least 2 separate reports before they can take any action) - sorry it's two separate incidents, and usually (but not always) after the victim has made clear further contact is unwanted. There are exceptions to this, and certainly sending legal correspondence is one of them.

If you haven't yet got rid of the smell, then both bicarb. as suggested above, and white vinegar, can be good at absorbing and getting rid of smells.

I think the chap will soon get bored in any case.

aneary

Comms69 wrote: »

I think this may be a waste of police time. This isn't really intimidation, it's someone failing at basic pre-action protocols.

If the OP feels threatened then it's intimidation.

Also I would be wary as he works in the same building. I would mention it to HR incase he decides to the bend the truth to colleagues

Comms69

aneary wrote: »

If the OP feels threatened then it's intimidation.

Also I would be wary as he works in the same building. I would mention it to HR incase he decides to the bend the truth to colleagues

That is not my understanding of the law. The law as far as I know, is what the reasonable person would think.


Separately the harassment law is action the person knows, or ought to know, will cause harassment.


I would avoid mentioning anything at work, getting the first salvo often backfires.

aneary

Comms69 wrote: »

That is not my understanding of the law. The law as far as I know, is what the reasonable person would think.


Separately the harassment law is action the person knows, or ought to know, will cause harassment.


I would avoid mentioning anything at work, getting the first salvo often backfires.

Any act against the person is what the victim feels. It's the reason why there isn't a defence of weak skull.

As the lodger is a contractor and the OP is perm then it is worth talking to HR the Perm person is always treated with more care.

Comms69

aneary wrote: »

Any act against the person is what the victim feels. It's the reason why there isn't a defence of weak skull.

As the lodger is a contractor and the OP is perm then it is worth talking to HR the Perm person is always treated with more care.

ok, I'll try one last time.


1: It's not specifically what the victim feels. I could find your choice of jacket offensive. Or your tattoos intimidating. etc. - it is not so subjective as you make out. The law is often - would a reasonable person be on the same opinion.


2: I can tell you that the law prevents employers treating temp and perm workers differently.