Landlord Harassment

What is it?

There are many forms of harassment you can receive from your landlord, they may do one or more of the following:

• Visiting the property uninvited and at unreasonable hours.
• Refusing to allow you to use part of the property.
• Refusing to complete repairs.
• Offering you money to leave.
• Threatening you into leaving.
• Disconnecting utility services such as gas.
  If you are being harassed, try and keep a diary of events in case you need to take further action.

  What can you do about it?

Try to resolve the matter with your landlord yourself, you should write to her/him expressing your concerns.
Contact the police if you feel threatened by the landlord or their agents.

Harassment and Unlawful Eviction

If you are in danger of eviction or suffering from harassment by your landlord then contact:

• Students' Association Ask: T: 0141 567 5040 E:ask@theunion.strath.ac.uk
• Citizen's Advice - www.cas.org.uk to find your local office
• Your local Council's Housing Advice Team or Anti-Social Behaviour Team

  Getting your deposit back

A landlord can make deductions from a deposit to cover costs, such as damage to the property, outstanding rents and unpaid bills. If your landlord is refusing to refund part or all of the deposit and you disagree with his/her decisions then you will need to take further action.

• Firstly, write to your landlord asking for the return of your deposit and written reasons why he is retaining it.
• Keep copies of any letters you send and receive, you will need them if you have to take action later.
• If your landlord gives reasons then you should answer each one in writing.
• Collecting evidence is important. If the landlord claims you owe rent, check all your receipts. In case of damage to the property get photographs and witnesses and refer to the inventory when you moved in.

  Taking further action

After this, having given the landlord every opportunity to pay, you may wish to take legal action. You should write to your landlord informing him/her of you intention.
Be careful, as making a claim against your landlord will give them the opportunity to make a counterclaim against you. This could be part of, or more than, the amount you are claiming. You should speak to an independent adviser, before taking legal action.