Colleague of Martin Lewis threatened to write about me in the paper

ceeme

I informed one of my (corporate) landlords that I cannot afford to pay the all rent due to the a huge loss of income. Her response was:
As you may or may not know, I am a journalist at the Daily Mirror newspaper. Consumer affairs expert Martin Lewis, founder of Moneysavingexpert.com, presenter on This Morning and the Martin Lewis Money Show is a colleague of mine, with a column in our sister paper the Sunday Mirror. We are always on the lookout for people and companies who are using the Covid 19 crisis as a cover to act in an unfair manner to the detriment of other people. I hope you are not such a company and I hope we can resolve this amicably.

Does any body else read this as a threat? 

I cannot afford to pay the rent as I've explained to this landlord, including the reasons why. Landlords can threaten me all they like but it won't magic money into my bank account. 

I do not think that someone should be abusing their position as a journalist to try and force me to pay rent. I do not think it is right to be name dropping Martin Lewis as leverage.  

What are your opinions on this?

[Deleted User]

No one is going to write about you in the Daily Mirror.

Semple

I think you're majorly over exaggerating! That reply is basically saying that some businesses are abusing the covid situation to avoid paying monies owed. You've said that your income has dropped to zero and therefore cannot afford to pay for the rent, so you wouldn't fall into the category of those abusing the covid situation. 

ceeme

Deleted_User said:

No one is going to write about you in the Daily Mirror.

I would assume you are correct. However, I am more interested in peoples opinions of a landlord using that as a threat. 

Jeremy535897

The last line says "I hope you are not such a company and we can resolve this amicably". This implies the threat is only aimed at tenants trying it on. If I were you, and being mindful of the point about an article, I would demonstrate to her that you are in financial difficulties. It should be easy enough. That then eliminates the threat, but obliges her to stand by her last statement to resolve it amicably. That logically means she contemplates an outcome that isn't just paying her on time.

Did you qualify for any of the rates based grants, SEISS or CJRS? Can you get a business interruption loan?

[Deleted User]

ceeme said:

I would assume you are correct. However, I am more interested in peoples opinions of a landlord using that as a threat. 

It doesn't really matter. It's not a real threat, it's just something someone has said in a stressful situation.

I wouldn't even give a second thought.

ceeme

Deleted_User said:

ceeme said:

I would assume you are correct. However, I am more interested in peoples opinions of a landlord using that as a threat. 

It doesn't really matter. It's not a real threat, it's just something someone has said in a stressful situation.

I wouldn't even give a second thought.

Yea I suppose if you're friends with Martin Lewis you can name drop him all you want. I guess he tells colleagues and friends people; "Any problems just tell them you know ME, then they'll pay, or we will slander them!" Very powerful. 

She clearly pointed out Martin Lewis is:
1. A consumer affairs expert 
2. Founder of Moneysavingexpert.com
3. Presenter on This Morning
4. Presenter on the Martin Lewis Money Show

What was the landlords intention of mentioning these four things if not to try and bully me to pay?

[Deleted User]

Her intention is to relieve her stress of a reduced income.

Your focus needs to be on reaching an amicable solution.

Gonna-be-debt-free

I seem to be in the minority with this opinion, but I read it as a threat - pay me or you'll be in the paper.  Personally I think it is an abuse of her position for personal  gain and a very immoral thing to do.

If I found out anyone was using my name or connection to me in that manner I would be livid.

ceeme

Gonna-be-debt-free said:

I seem to be in the minority with this opinion, but I read it as a threat - pay me or you'll be in the paper.  Personally I think it is an abuse of her position for personal  gain and a very immoral thing to do.

If I found out anyone was using my name or connection to me in that manner I would be livid.

Thank you so much. It is at the very least a veiled threat. Fancy name dropping Martin Lewis. 

Andy_L

ceeme said:

Deleted_User said:

ceeme said:

I would assume you are correct. However, I am more interested in peoples opinions of a landlord using that as a threat. 

It doesn't really matter. It's not a real threat, it's just something someone has said in a stressful situation.

I wouldn't even give a second thought.

Yea I suppose if you're friends with Martin Lewis you can name drop him all you want. I guess he tells colleagues and friends people; "Any problems just tell them you know ME, then they'll pay, or we will slander them!" Very powerful. 

She clearly pointed out Martin Lewis is:
1. A consumer affairs expert 
2. Founder of Moneysavingexpert.com
3. Presenter on This Morning
4. Presenter on the Martin Lewis Money Show

What was the landlords intention of mentioning these four things if not to try and bully me to pay?

They can only bully you into paying them if you have the money.