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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To report this man to his probation officer?

91 replies

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 22:18

I rent out a property and I also manage the property next door for a friend/old neighbour who lives at the other end of the country - I'm not a letting agent, I just do it as a favour as I manage my own too.

I showed potential tenants around my friend's house a few months ago and after reporting back she initially chose a guy who could move in quickly and had references. However the character reference he sent me was from his probation officer - when I googled, he'd recently come out of prison for attacking and stalking his ex girlfriend. At this point, no contract had been signed and no money exchanged hands so my friend decided she didn't want a violent man in her house in case he damaged it. By coincidence, an inspection found that there were serious plumbing issues, so I said to the potential tenant that the landlord couldn't offer him the lease at the moment due to repairs (not great not telling the whole truth I know but I didn't feel safe/right telling him it's also because he's violent) and the property was no longer available but if anything changed I'd be in touch.

He messaged a few times since and I just said the property isn't available and repair work was ongoing.

Repairs were finished a month ago and my friend rented it out to her niece, I wasn't involved in finding anyone.

Today he walked past the house and saw someone was obviously living there. He rang me and I was caught off guard and said sorry to let him down but that was the landlord's decision. It's all kicked off since.

Anyway tonight I've spent my evening asking local Facebook pages and groups to remove the picture of me with "scam landlord" warning. They obviously don't understand that I'm NOT the landlord!! Two men have also been down to the properties knocking on doors to find out who has lived there and for how long. This has freaked my tenant out - she suffers from severe anxiety and is now panicking. My friend's niece wasn't it, but according to my tenant they tried her back door which was thankfully locked. I've also had threats on my phone from the potential tenant's family members. My friend said at this point to pass on her number and explain she's the landlord, which I've done but they haven't contacted her.

I don't know if either of the men who went down to the houses were the potential tenant, and the Facebook posts didn't appear to be from him. But this has really pissed me off on several levels - I've been publicly accused of 'scamming money out of them' even though none exchanged hands and it's not even my property - I'm a teacher and this could have serious repercussions if anyone at work saw it. Luckily the posts were swiftly removed.

Even though it appears to be a smear campaign from slightly batshit members of this bloke's family rather than him, WIBU to get in touch with his probation officer to let them know what's going on? I just want it to stop.

OP posts:
Name99 · 13/04/2021 22:22

Contact the police and they will inform the relevant agencies regarding this
The police need to be informed of this kind of behaviour

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 13/04/2021 22:22

I would be, this just isn't right.

If I were the tenant I'd also be calling the police and speaking to them

SirPhillipsgroupie · 13/04/2021 22:26

Police regardless! Having the probation officer’s details is jolly handy, though.

jclm · 13/04/2021 22:27

Terrifying - she did the right thing not renting to him!!
Yes contact probation and the police.

Sparklfairy · 13/04/2021 22:31

How awful. There are some scary people about.

I would contact the police, give the probation officers details and let them deal with it. If you have a good relationship with work I'd consider giving them a heads up about this too. Better to get in front of it if you can.

TakeMeToKernow · 13/04/2021 22:37

Flipping heck! For the love of god, call the police in the morning!!

Neonprint · 13/04/2021 22:37

I used to work with offenders. Not as a probation officer I was a project worker. But also worked closely with probation officers. I would really urge you to contact his probation officer ASAP.

This behaviour is very closely linked to his initial offending. It's also possibly a breach of his probation depending on his terms.

I'd also contact the police. I'd not normally do this over an issue like this. But given he has a history of violence and stalking it's worth reporting it.

You could always speak to the probation officer first and ask about contacting the police as they may have a view or connection.

SeaTurtles92 · 13/04/2021 22:39

Omg this is terrifying. You need to contact the police they even tried someone's door.
The fact he kind of stalked the property too. Keep save and tell everyone to be extra vigilant.

Smokeahontas · 13/04/2021 22:39

This definitely needs to be reported as soon as possible. Get screenshots of any further posts as well.

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 22:41

I've just had to call my tenant's mum as her emergency contact as bless her heart she's called me having a panic attack over being questioned about her tenancy SadShe can't remember what they look like, I haven't pressed her but even though they only asked questions I'm pretty sure this counts as some form of low level harassment! Fancy knocking on people's doors

OP posts:
RachelRavenRoth · 13/04/2021 22:43

@Neonprint

I used to work with offenders. Not as a probation officer I was a project worker. But also worked closely with probation officers. I would really urge you to contact his probation officer ASAP.

This behaviour is very closely linked to his initial offending. It's also possibly a breach of his probation depending on his terms.

I'd also contact the police. I'd not normally do this over an issue like this. But given he has a history of violence and stalking it's worth reporting it.

You could always speak to the probation officer first and ask about contacting the police as they may have a view or connection.

Yes this
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:44

Without hesitation, police now and probation officer tomorrow (or leave a voicemail tonight). Given what he was convicted of, this is very similar behaviour and given that the stalking progressed to violence, I'd take no chances at all. That family members are also calling you means that police need to be involved.

Sparklfairy · 13/04/2021 22:45

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

I've just had to call my tenant's mum as her emergency contact as bless her heart she's called me having a panic attack over being questioned about her tenancy SadShe can't remember what they look like, I haven't pressed her but even though they only asked questions I'm pretty sure this counts as some form of low level harassment! Fancy knocking on people's doors
It's a bit more than low level OP
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:46

This could escalate rapidly and soon. I would honestly call 101 tonight, and if either of the tenants hear so much as a bird tweeting outside, advise them to immediately call 999.

Neonprint · 13/04/2021 22:47

If you just report to the police they aren't always as joined up with the probation service as you might hope (in my experience). So there's a chance it might not get to the probation officer. So definitely contact the PO.

Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:49

The facebook posts are defamation, so you could reasonably sue the bastards but it would be a long and annoying process and would be too late by the time you had sufficient evidence. I might also document all this somehow and perhaps warn your Head Teacher to ensure no such scenario arises for you.

Babygotblueyes · 13/04/2021 22:50

Police first, so that they can maybe keep an eye out overnight. Then probation tomorrow. If it were just FB, as unpleasant and untrue as it is, I would not be so bothered. But to actually have people coming over is a big escalation. I would be terrified if I were the tenant.

Hidinginstaircupboard · 13/04/2021 22:51

Yeah if you know his probation officer report him

Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:52

Are you close enough that you could drop over to your tenant in particular (with warning obviously) just to reassure her. Ensure that her windows are secured, upstairs and downstairs, that she maybe leaves a TV on downstairs, offer to fit extra security features, remind her to keep her phone charged and on her at all times and tell her if in any doubt at all, to not hesitate in calling 999 immediately.

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 22:52

@Sparklfairy I agree but I don't want to be told by police that it's not illegal to knock on doors and ask questions I guess!

OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:54

Also, are there any male neighbours you know who you could ask to keep an eye on things temporarily (like overnight tonight)? Just to be aware of suspicious noises, cars, banging or whatever and to warn them to immediately call 999?

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 22:54

@Therewereroses

The facebook posts are defamation, so you could reasonably sue the bastards but it would be a long and annoying process and would be too late by the time you had sufficient evidence. I might also document all this somehow and perhaps warn your Head Teacher to ensure no such scenario arises for you.
I actually teach A-Level Law and so had some pretty good clout in quoting the correct legislation when reporting the post to admins Grin but he's not worth the bother at all, they're all down now and no one has contacted me saying "is this you" so think it'll be ok.
OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:54

[quote JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]@Sparklfairy I agree but I don't want to be told by police that it's not illegal to knock on doors and ask questions I guess![/quote]
You shouldn't be. If you are, call back and speak to another officer! I would!

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 22:55

@Therewereroses

Are you close enough that you could drop over to your tenant in particular (with warning obviously) just to reassure her. Ensure that her windows are secured, upstairs and downstairs, that she maybe leaves a TV on downstairs, offer to fit extra security features, remind her to keep her phone charged and on her at all times and tell her if in any doubt at all, to not hesitate in calling 999 immediately.
I'm gonna do this for both tenants in the morning. They're both young women in their 20's living alone and I feel terrible that it's come to this and they're affected.
OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 22:56

I'd be concerned that they will be incensed at being banned from Facebook pages so might become irate with drink or drugs in the system!

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