Property share turned sour

[CharlieChops]

My son and a business aquantaince moved into a flat in January 24 with a 12 month contract and all bills divided 50/50. They are not in a relationship with each other, it was just that it was beneficial to them both as it was close to work,and at the time they got on.

The relationship has suddenly (like in the last week) turned very sour and very bitter and the other tenant wants him out, sending him fairly sharp tongued intense messages - but pulling no punches ( my other son visited for a couple of days and she said if he didnt go she'd get some one round to remove him) . They re also quite controlling - he's not allowed guests (but they are), he is asked to stay out if they have people round - in my eyes they are trying to bully him out of the flat. He's taken a screenshot of all these messages. Quite litterally since the fall out they've threatened him with solicitors, eviction, talking to the landlord, personal dereogatory remarks about him, threatening to phone his workplace stating she feels unsafe when he's in the flat.

They have requested that my son doesnt speak to them - only via text message. She's obviously waiting for him to write something she can use against him.

As an aside, We believe that me and my wife were turned down as guarantors (for my sons part of the contract) although we've never been officially notified of this and the agents let him move in anyway.
.
He's concerned about being able to get out of the contract.

I can post a copy of the tenancy agreement if it helps.

[R0b]

Hi

Can you clarify that there is only one other person involved here? You say a business acquaintance but then refer to 'they' like a collective. How many people are we talking about when you say they?

Has your son indicated what he wants to do? It sounds like there is some toxicity there that potentially means it is not feasible for both of them to live under the same roof. Here are some of the things he could do:

1. Contact the police and report the individual claiming that there is a belief that the individual is harassing you which is both a civil and criminal offence. Police sometimes try to bat this away and say it is a civil matter, but your son should remind them that it is also a criminal offence. Add in the threats of calling his workplace and false accusations, they need to take this seriously. There may be other criminal offences such as:

- common assault.

- malicious communication.

- possibility to get an anti-social behaviour order taken out against the individual, though not sure how well that would work in practice if living in the same flat.

- Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986 includes threatening or abusive behaviour, harassment alarm or distress.

2. Similar to the above, your son could look at bringing civil proceedings for harassment and an injunction to prevent her from sending messages and doing anything that may be harmful to your son.

3. If the individual wants your son out the house, then your son can suggest she buys your son out of the tenancy and has his name removed so that they are paying full rent. Alternatively, they find an alternative tenant so that your son can get out of it. This usually attracts a small(ish) fee for the admin and paperwork but that should be something the individual should cough up, unless your son is willing to pay that for the convenience of getting out of that flat.

4. As regards to:

- eviction, the individual cannot do that, only the landlord.

- threats of solicitors is nothing more than a hollow threat in my view, not sure what grounds the individual would have without providing more information.

- threats to contacting the workplace, your son needs to be careful because this sounds like the individual may decide to inform his employer concerning false accusations or information that could potentially cause him to lose his job. Your son may wish to consider taking the first move and reporting this to the employer and sharing the messages that have been sent. Out of curiosity has the individual stated why she feels your son makes her feel unsafe?

Ultimately, there is a lot to consider. I do think your son should respect the fact the individual only wishes to speak via text message. Your son may want to prepare a response by text message addressing all of the accusations and calling them out (presumably) as false and there is absolutely no reason why the individual has any reason to feel unsafe, but on the contrary, it is your son that is starting to feel unsafe given her recent behaviour and threats which he should outline including threats against your other son.

Your son may also want to reiterate that he is a joint tenant and he has every right to have friends over as much as the individual does and given the toxicity between the two for whatever reason has happened, your son is willing to move out of the flat if the individual is willing to find another tenant to replace him. In the meantime it is best that they both avoid each other but at least maybe be courteous enough to let each other know if the other intends to bring other people over.

If your son does decide to respond to the threats and accusations, he may want to weigh up reporting to the police and also speaking with HR before providing that response. Just on the off chance the individual decides to do or say something malicious that puts your son on the backfoot both with the police and his employer.

[CharlieChops]

Hi

Can you clarify that there is only one other person involved here? You say a business acquaintance but then refer to 'they' like a collective. How many people are we talking about when you say they?

Has your son indicated what he wants to do? It sounds like there is some toxicity there that potentially means it is not feasible for both of them to live under the same roof. Here are some of the things he could do:

1. Contact the police and report the individual claiming that there is a belief that the individual is harassing you which is both a civil and criminal offence. Police sometimes try to bat this away and say it is a civil matter, but your son should remind them that it is also a criminal offence. Add in the threats of calling his workplace and false accusations, they need to take this seriously. There may be other criminal offences such as:

- common assault.

- malicious communication.

- possibility to get an anti-social behaviour order taken out against the individual, though not sure how well that would work in practice if living in the same flat.

- Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986 includes threatening or abusive behaviour, harassment alarm or distress.

2. Similar to the above, your son could look at bringing civil proceedings for harassment and an injunction to prevent her from sending messages and doing anything that may be harmful to your son.

3. If the individual wants your son out the house, then your son can suggest she buys your son out of the tenancy and has his name removed so that they are paying full rent. Alternatively, they find an alternative tenant so that your son can get out of it. This usually attracts a small(ish) fee for the admin and paperwork but that should be something the individual should cough up, unless your son is willing to pay that for the convenience of getting out of that flat.

4. As regards to:

- eviction, the individual cannot do that, only the landlord.

- threats of solicitors is nothing more than a hollow threat in my view, not sure what grounds the individual would have without providing more information.

- threats to contacting the workplace, your son needs to be careful because this sounds like the individual may decide to inform his employer concerning false accusations or information that could potentially cause him to lose his job. Your son may wish to consider taking the first move and reporting this to the employer and sharing the messages that have been sent. Out of curiosity has the individual stated why she feels your son makes her feel unsafe?

Ultimately, there is a lot to consider. I do think your son should respect the fact the individual only wishes to speak via text message. Your son may want to prepare a response by text message addressing all of the accusations and calling them out (presumably) as false and there is absolutely no reason why the individual has any reason to feel unsafe, but on the contrary, it is your son that is starting to feel unsafe given her recent behaviour and threats which he should outline including threats against your other son.

Your son may also want to reiterate that he is a joint tenant and he has every right to have friends over as much as the individual does and given the toxicity between the two for whatever reason has happened, your son is willing to move out of the flat if the individual is willing to find another tenant to replace him. In the meantime it is best that they both avoid each other but at least maybe be courteous enough to let each other know if the other intends to bring other people over.

If your son does decide to respond to the threats and accusations, he may want to weigh up reporting to the police and also speaking with HR before providing that response. Just on the off chance the individual decides to do or say something malicious that puts your son on the backfoot both with the police and his employer.

Just to clarify, ther is just the one person. I was trying to conceal the gender but realise I then later revealed it.

Thanks for the reply, some good points I hadnt thought to mention to him. I will pass on your advise.