Scottish landlord fined for making threats to tenants

Have you ever had tenants that drove you to the point of distraction? The landlord – tenant relationship is not always an easy one, and unless you are very lucky or an extremely easy-going individual, from time to time you will probably feel aggrieved at something one of your tenants has done. However, as landlords, we are businessmen and women, and therefore should always treat our tenants with a high degree of professionalism, no matter what the circumstances are. Unfortunately, not all landlords are able to keep a lid on their temper, and in the case of one Scottish landlord his fiery disposition has landed him in court. The landlord, Mr Fortune, apparently took exception to being handed a £160 bill after his tenants had a shower repaired and changed the locks without telling him. He lost his temper and threatened them with physical violence. The landlord later claimed that the tenants owed him money for unpaid rent, although they counterclaimed he had done nothing to instigate essential repairs despite repeated requests. Sadly for Mr Fortune, he was also found guilty of unlawfully operating a HMO (house of multiple occupancy) and fined a further £1,000 for operating without the correct licence. So the moral of this story is that if you fail to act in a professional manner and don’t treat your tenants with politeness and respect, it is highly likely that your tenants will take exception to being threatened verbally and physically, and you will end up seriously out of pocket!

Landlord blog

Siobhan Smith

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