landlord issues and rent arrears

[messycess]

hi guys i have posted threads on here before and have been given some good advice so thought id try for some opinions on this issue. ill try and put as much info as i can so sorry if i go on a bit.I have recently been on part time hours at work due to depression from the tragic death of our 4 year old son. Landlord knows about this as it was all over the news and he laid flowers at our door.We have been living here for 18 months and to be fair to landlord in the first 6 months we weren't always on time with the rent and he would turn up unannounced on many occasions asking why it was late.So since last november we have been on time every month until this november when we were 3 days late. He turned up and quietly put our notice through the door. We need to be out by 9th feb.Our rent was due on 10th but we are 225 in arrears at the moment until housing benefit clears. Today out of the blue a gas man turns up to check the boiler. I txt landlord saying arent we supposed to have 24hrs notice if anyone is going to turn up? His reply was. "Arent you supposed to pay the rent on time tell him to come back later if its not convenient". As i said earlier he has turned up out of the blue on many occasions once being very rude and aggressive to me infront of my kids! All because i went to his house as i couldnt get in touch with him on his phone when the boiler broke down. Hewas in america and didnt take his phone with him so his daughter had to sort a plumber out for us. As soon as he got back from his holiday he was banging the door (without notice obviously). "how dare you involve my family if there is any issues you deal with me and only me leave my family out of it."So today is the final straw for me and as you can imagine i have had enough of this rude heartless landlord and im at the point of saying stuff you and not giving him anymore rent and tell him to keep the deposit.Any thoughts, advice or ideas? Thanks in advance

[MissFM]

Re: landlord issues and rent arrears

Have only just come across your post Messycess and am very, very sorry both for your terrible loss and for your present difficult situation. I hope that things have improved in the last few weeks - if not then would strongly urge you to get in touch with Shelter who will give you informed and impartial advice and most probably practical help - or point you in the right direction for help.

Your landlord should not, IMHO, be behaving like this - a reasonable landlord would both expect and be grateful for a tenant reporting any necessary repairs to him promptly. Being behind with the rent is tricky especially if the relationship has broken down but maybe it is not too late for some sort of mediation?

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_ad...rivate_renting

Wishing you the very best of luck and a much happier 2013 x

[messycess]

Re: landlord issues and rent arrears

Thanks MissFM,

Its been a while since i been on here but here is an update.

My current situation has been covered here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...41#post4152141

and here:

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums...ventory-issues

My question is this:

how would i sue ex landlord in tort interference with goods?

After leaving the property on correct date (almost 4 months ago)following s21, we left a couple of items in the property and told landlord about them. he said he would be in touch as to when we could collect. A few days later landlord said "you can have items back when i recieve arrears" (£125). The full deposit amount is in dispute with DPS.

I now know he is breaking the law holding my possesions in lieu of monies owed.

At first i was told by landlord via txt message that he sold items to help with "the large hole i left in his pocket", but after i called the police and reported this as theft, they paid him a visit and apparently the txt was to try and "shake me up" to pay the £125 arrears. The fact that he actually has not sold items means it is not a criminal offence but a civil one.

My question is how would i go about taking him to court to have items returned? Value of goods around £300 so would the costs of going to court be worth it? and how much extra damages could i claim against him if i were to sue.

thanks in advance.