Tenant Harassment
The first thing that you, as a Landlord, will know that you have been accused of Harassment, is when a letter is received from the local authority that has claims of alleged harassment by you or one of your tenants.
Be very careful in your contact with that particular tenant and always cover yourself by keeping a detailed record of all meetings and telephone conversations.
The motive of the tenant could be an attempt to move them up the housing list and or to sue you, as substantial costs can be awarded against Landlords by the Civil Courts, in some cases, when tenants are able to claim for special and general damages.
Local authorities do take accusations of harassment very seriously and may prosecute Landlords who harass tenants because the penalties are the same as for unlawful eviction.
Harassment is when you try to contact a tenant(s) outside the area of the property and land that you are letting to them. Any discussions or form of communication that are not held within the property may have dangerous consequences! Any person that harasses a residential occupier in such a way, that as a result, they could be expected to give up their accommodation, is committing a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
The key elements of harassment are acts likely to interfere with the peace and comfort of the Residential Occupier OR the persistent withdrawal of essential services AS WELL AS:
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