Harrassment and Blackmail from Ex-Landlord

pinkshoes

You have done the right thing reporting her.

Do not correspond with her other than by letter, so ignore any texts.

If she does send anything to your boss, then just laugh and tell your boss about this crazy ex landlord who keeps making up bills that don't exist and threatening you, and that you had to report her to the police.

hazyjo

Block the number too.

badlandlord283939

hazyjo wrote: »

Block the number too.

I am scared to do this, in case I recieve more threats and she follows through. I'd like to know.

G_M

More info needed:

1) "not all of my deposit was given back." So presumably an agreement was reached about deductions, and she paid back the balance. So what has changed?

2) Who was responsible for gardening costs? Did you employ, and fail to pay, a gardener? Did the tenancy agreement state you were responsible? If yes, why was this not taken from your deposit?

3) whose name were the utilities in? What did the tenancy agreement say about utilities? Did you fail to pay the final bills before you left? Did you give the utilities final meter readings?

4) why are you responding at all to texts? Ignore.

5) Why are you 'shaking with fear'? That is an absurd over-reaction. Even if she does contact your mananger (unlikely), so what? It is none of his concern and he'll see her as an idiot

6) Now that you have been to the police, anyy action by her will just dig her into a hole, not you.

7) do you drink? Have a glass of wine, put your feet up, relax, and have a good laugh at what an idiot she is making of herself.

do163600

All of the above.

As an aside, if you block someone's number on your 'phone, do they receive a message telling them they have been blocked?

cjmillsnun

No. It'll just go to voicemail

accidental_landlord_2

One reply along the lines of she has your address to file small claims should she wish, any further communication is harassment and will be reported to the police, then simply ignore her...

Don't stress re your employer - (guessing along the lines of nhs/nmc) will know they shouldn't even be taking the call.

PM me if you ever have a problem this.

FBaby

She sounds like a nutter but... you do need to be absolutely certain that she doesn't have a claim.

The utilities would have been in your name whilst you were a tenant (right?) so unlikely you owe anything.

Not forcibly true. If for instance OP called utility to say he left on date X but the end up leaving later, the utility company will go by that date and by default charge the LL for gas/electricity used after this time. Same if the tenant give the wrong meter readings.

In regards to the gardening, it would depend on terms of the contract. If it clearly states that OP was responsible for cost of it during their tenancy, then had the gardener coming a few days before and OP told him he was leaving in two days, the gardener might have decided to invoice the LL instead.

What you don't want is her indeed taking you to court and winning the case, so do contact the utility companies to ask why your old LL think you still owe money.

chucknorris

badlandlord283939 wrote: »

Hi,

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".

What information does she have on you? Are you legally entitled to work in the UK, if you are, and not here with a false ID, that she is aware of, I don't she what damaging information that she could possibly have on you.

By "who I really am" did she merely mean expose you for allegedly not paying some bills, if so, that has got nothing to do with your employer. Who do you think your boss would believe anyway, some nutter on the telephone or a trusted and reliable employee?

HWG

I don't think you need to worry too much. There are two issues here which you need to treat separately. It sounds like she's quite desperate and irrational - all you need to do is remain calm and follow the rules and you'll win. The two issues:

1. Old landlord claims you owe them money
You appear to already be doing the right thing, in asking for a written breakdown and evidence of what she's claiming. Was you deposit protected? If not, you can hit her where it hurts with that.

2. Threatening behavior
I guess this worrying you more than the first issue. Take a deep breath, and take steps to protect yourself.
Firstly, call the police, as other posters have advised. Personally, I'd then send your landlord a short message saying you've done this, although others might advise against this. I think it could be helpful in showing her you've had enough.
Next, email your boss and cc the HR department, simply saying you're being threatened by a former landlord, who's mentioned she intends to blackmail you by contacting your employer and trying to get you fired. State that the police are involved, and that you'd like to be notified if she does indeed contact them.
The only way this could affect you is if your employer was taken by surprise and acted hastily in their repose. By notifying them in advance, you rule this out and can relax.

Hope it all gets sorted out! Even if you did owe her money, I think her behavior has compromised her position so much that you can at least force a stalemate. I presume the possibility of a criminal conviction might ward her off any further action.