Help! My landlord's harrassing me for rent even though we dont live there anymore! Legal advice needed.?

Question

Hi everyone, I'm having trouble with my ex landlord. We lived at their property for just over 2 years and put down a £700.00 deposit. Our contract ended early this year and they never bothered to renew it.

He has visited the property a few time but always rang and gave notice up until a couple of months ago when he came and we wasnt in, my brother, who's staying with me (the landlord knew this but denied it after) answered the door and he did a spot check on which he claims we were subletting he also said we were smoking in the house.

He proceeded to call my partner and said we would have to leave by September as he was selling the house, so at the end of June instead of paying Julys rent we put it towards another deposit and moved house.

He now claims we owe him £900.00 in damages and unpaid rent and says he's taking us to court if we do not pay it, he also came to our new house making threats.

Where do I stand and what should I do??

Anyone with a similar experience or any legal knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

It sounds like you left without giving notice.  You don't say what your rent was but assuming it is the same as your deposit, then that was put towards July rent and nothing was left for damage.  If you didn't give him notice that you were leaving at the end of July, he could claim rent for August because he expected you to be there until then.  You don't say if the place was clean and undamaged when you left but if there was damage, he has the right to be paid.

You can try ignoring him or call the police if he continues to harass you but he could take you court - although assuming you're in the UK, I don't know exactly how that works.  

Answer 2

Whatever he said or you said means nothing unless it is in writing.   If you have a lease you must follow the terms of the lease.   If your lease expired, then you lease will also state whether you are to give 30 or 60 days written notice when you are going to vacate the property.    You are responsible for the entire lease agreement  if no written notice was given and accepted.  

When you moved into the property, you should have filled out a report stating the condition of the property.   If you did, then there would be a checklist to determine if monies are due you, but if you broke the lease and did not pay for the remainder of the lease you are entitled to nothing.