Landlord Harassment - Advice needed please

Socajam

How about changing the locks so that we cannot enter the property whilst you are not there
Also do write to her and explain what you said here and that once the money comes through you will fulfill your obligations towards the rent arrears.

Badmac64

brianposter said:

There is no law against knocking on doors, and, as far as we know, the landlady had been misled over the circumstances of her tenants absence.

last time I checked we were allowed to leave the house - I called my neighbour and he advised she chapped 3 neighbours in the building to ask if they knew if me and my wife were working and when we would be home.  My next door neighbour told her we were at the MIL till Monday and they were keeping an eye on the house.
I think she thought by coming to my MIL house she was going to magically get the arrears paid this week.

moneysavinghero

Landlord harassment is a criminal offence. If you feel threatened call the police.

Comms69

moneysavinghero said:

Landlord harassment is a criminal offence. If you feel threatened call the police.

Not limited to landlords ofcourse, any harassment is. 

Grumpy_chap

How did the landlady get to know where the MiL lives?

Comms69

Badmac64 said:

brianposter said:

There is no law against knocking on doors, and, as far as we know, the landlady had been misled over the circumstances of her tenants absence.

last time I checked we were allowed to leave the house - I called my neighbour and he advised she chapped 3 neighbours in the building to ask if they knew if me and my wife were working and when we would be home.  My next door neighbour told her we were at the MIL till Monday and they were keeping an eye on the house.
I think she thought by coming to my MIL house she was going to magically get the arrears paid this week.

Indeed but it’s not a leap to think you might’ve done a runner. 

Badmac64

Grumpy_chap said:

How did the landlady get to know where the MiL lives?

when we moved in 4 years ago she asked for bank statements to prove our income so my wife emailed them - we were living with my MIL and FIL at the time as we had just returned from travelling.
When neighbour told her we were at mother in laws I assume she had checked back on the statements.

Badmac64

Comms69 said:

Indeed but it’s not a leap to think you might’ve done a runner. 

True - but even if we had done a runner - I assume even then she couldn't turn up at my MIL door uninvited.
I am going back to the house tomorrow and I have arranged for a lock smith.
My wife is going to write her a letter and send it guaranteed next day delivery to advise we want all communication in writing and she is not to come to either door uninvited again and as we previously advised within 8 weeks we would be in position to clear arrears.

Comms69

Badmac64 said:

Comms69 said:

Indeed but it’s not a leap to think you might’ve done a runner. 

True - but even if we had done a runner - I assume even then she couldn't turn up at my MIL door uninvited.
I am going back to the house tomorrow and I have arranged for a lock smith.
My wife is going to write her a letter and send it guaranteed next day delivery to advise we want all communication in writing and she is not to come to either door uninvited again and as we previously advised within 8 weeks we would be in position to clear arrears.

You don’t need a locksmith and frankly you can’t afford one. Go buy a new barrel and a screw driver it’s a 15 minute job. 

As for the turning up at MILs well harassment requires two or more incidents, so she can legitimately turn up there once- even if it is bad form. 

brianposter

Tenants often seem to have pretty daft ideas about what landlords think. In practical terms your position as a tenant at the present time is so strong that you might as well be nice to your landlady.