Lanlord problems

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 21:42

One of my housemates moved out without paying his last months rent and leaving the landlord his deposit of a months rent. He didn't tell the landlord he was leaving. He was out of contract (initial 6 month contract to stay). The house is in the same state as when we moved in, no damage etc.

Our landlord came around unannounced today ranting at everyone, as he normally does, being abusive, and saying he'd follow up my ex-housemate with a debt-retrieval firm (Experion I think). He also said he'd take a big pile of my ex-housemates records.

Where does my ex-housemate stand legally?

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 21:49

Could he damage my ex-housemate's credit rating?

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 21:55

Okay, so taking my housemates records would be theft in the eyes of the law?

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 21:57

No, individual agreements (different prices for different rooms, electricity, heating and water bills included).

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 22:19

Yeah, separate contracts.

Oh, and the only slightly salted butter I like is Lurpack.

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 22:43

Cheers for your input guys.

Monkey Puzzle · 10 May 2008 at 23:46

neoboy said:
Frankly I don't think the landlord would be allowed to take anything of his at this point even if your friend owed him money. It takes quite a lot of time to be able to just go and take someone's stuff for debt collection.

Although if he has left and his contract finished then he may (depending on tennancy agreement) take the stuff into storage in order to be able to use the room.

The records are in the conservatory; his room is empty. Our landlord didn't take them this morning. He's 'given' them as a gift to another housemate anyway so shouldn't be a problem.