Harrassment and Blackmail from Ex-Landlord

badlandlord283939

Hi,
I Left property end of September on a shorthold tenancy agreement. We had a disagreement with state of property- not all of my deposit was given back. Whilst we disagreed I gritted my teeth, accepted it and moved on.Deposit was taken for damage to floors, fence and cleaning.

However- My landlord has been texting me this past week claiming I owe money for gardening services, utility bills etc and she now has debts in her name. All of this communication has been via text and I have responded and asked for all this to be sent to me in written form and we can discuss this appropiately (from my standpoint all is paid up).

I had a series of messages today where she stated if I didnt call one of these debt collection agencies to transfer it in my name, she will contact my workplace and boss and send them evidence of "who I really am".

I am a healthcare professional, very good at my job and was shaking with fear over this. I have yet to see proof of this debt that is apparently meant to be. I felt extremely terrified of my career, reputation and ultimately put into a corner.

I emailed her today stating I would no longer like to be contacted via text or phone as felt this had become an inappropiate conversation. I reminded her of my resedential and forwarding address and to please send any correspondance she wishes to discuss via this route. I also encouraged her if she felt monies were owed or needed resolving to send me a letter about this or consider mediation service or small claims court.


She refused. Told me if i didnt so this by 1730 she will forward everything to my manager. What, I am not sure...

So...its 18:55 and I am currently terrified, terrified of work the next day,scared but also aware I should not be made to transfer a debt into my name if It is not mine.

Please help. I am feeling harrassed and put into a corner. Is there anything I can do?

greendoor665

Go to the police as she's verging on harassment if not already. Possibly have a chat to your manager and pre empt her, explaining what's happened. If your manager is any good they will ignore this anyway, it's got nothing to do with your job.

ACG

As above, call the police.

vicki2221

If she hasn't forwarded you any official correspondence then I doubt she will to your boss?! Sounds like she doesn't even have any. It's absolutely nothing to do with your boss anyway, she is just being an absolute psychopath. You really must tell the police, 100%.

Just out of interest, did she put your deposit with one of the government protection schemes as she is legally obliged to do? My sister had a similar problem with a landlord once and when she pointed out he was breaking the law by never having put her deposit in one of the schemes he suddenly went very quiet.

Please don't get too upset, this sounds like total bull

ViolaLass

Why would you need to 'transfer' the debts? Surely you would give her the money to pay them off (if you accepted the debts), borrowing it if need be.

Also, why were the utilities in her name? Why weren't gardening services included in the rent?

Flutterbat17

She sounds bonkers! Send in the police and get a consultation with a solicitor. Crazy lady.

Sarastro

She's bluffing. The utilities would have been in your name whilst you were a tenant (right?) so unlikely you owe anything. Any gardening services after the end of the tenancy were her call. Debt collection agencies aren't stupid - they know whose debt it is before they collect it. If you know who they are, call them yourself and check whose debt the name is in. She has absolutely no right to contact your boss so just ignore that. Calling the police might prompt her to give it up. Sounds like she's in debt and wants to see if she can bully or con some money out of you. If you're happy you've paid your bills, don't worry about it.

badlandlord283939

Thanks all for the advice...I've contacted the police and have a crime reference number. They've suggested a verbal warning. Slightly concerned it may trigger her to act on her threats as she is quite an impulsive and emotional person.

However we shall see.

chappers

Don't worry about it, your boss isn't going to worry about some crazy fool telling him/her that one of his staff may or may not owe a utility bill.
This is crazy if she really thought the debt was yours she should have in the first instance directed the utility company to you and then following that done the same with the debt collection agency.
she sounds like she's got a screw loose.
Block her number and ignore her

Flutterbat17

What was she like whilst you was living there?

badlandlord283939

Nightmare...would turn up unannounced, similar sort of things, she demanded eviction via an email once If I didn't respond to her by a certain period regarding sorting out a garden fence. Whilst my mother was in hospital for cancer...