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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:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:36

Were drugs/drink involved at the time of the incident? If he's just out, he might have been sober coming out and when you met him, but could likely have hit his substance of choice by now. That's what would worry me. I hope to God he doesn't have your address as he will have a serious gripe with you rather than the tenants. It's a bit of a warning for the future!

PinkiOcelot · 13/04/2021 23:36

I don’t think I would be sleeping tonight if I was either of those young ladies.

Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:38

I'll be gutted if I lose my tenant over this, she's lovely but really what kind of person who suffers from acute anxiety will want to stay now?!

Don't panic as they're both safe for now. I would be surprised if he's not unceremoniously plonked back into prison tomorrow. I imagine your tenant is lovely so will be awful to lose her, but her health and safety will be her priority and there will only be so much that you can do to reassure her.

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:39

@Therewereroses

Were drugs/drink involved at the time of the incident? If he's just out, he might have been sober coming out and when you met him, but could likely have hit his substance of choice by now. That's what would worry me. I hope to God he doesn't have your address as he will have a serious gripe with you rather than the tenants. It's a bit of a warning for the future!
Luckily I never give my address out to my friend's tenants only my phone number.

The article doesn't say he was drunk - didn't notice a tag either!

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 13/04/2021 23:39

Get ring doorbells organised for both properties tomorrow. For your own too. Consider getting CCTV too.
These people are unhinged.

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:40

@Therewereroses

I'll be gutted if I lose my tenant over this, she's lovely but really what kind of person who suffers from acute anxiety will want to stay now?!

Don't panic as they're both safe for now. I would be surprised if he's not unceremoniously plonked back into prison tomorrow. I imagine your tenant is lovely so will be awful to lose her, but her health and safety will be her priority and there will only be so much that you can do to reassure her.

I know, I'm so pleased her mum is nearby otherwise I'd be making up the spare bed tonight! Think I'll send her some flowers when this mess is all over.
OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:41

Can you google the other family names too and see if they also have a history? They're clearly not bothered about intimidating people, so they probably all have!

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:41

@DianaT1969 luckily I have a ring doorbell, good idea to get some for the girls too.

OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:43

Imagine being tied to an ape like that because he's the father. The PO should ideally warn her that he's not reformed too and for her sake too, put the prick back in.

Newworld2021 · 13/04/2021 23:43

I would contact the police directly tomorrow and raise the concerns.

In terms of contacting probation - be mindful of data protection legislation. I’m no expert but from my understanding consent was given to you to process his data in order to obtain a reference. By contacting probation you are processing this data in a different way than you were given permission to and could open yourself up to all sorts of challenge.

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:45

@Newworld2021 if only be using data and information they volunteered, along with public information (police press release) to me so I should be ok I think

OP posts:
Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:46

@Therewereroses

Imagine being tied to an ape like that because he's the father. The PO should ideally warn her that he's not reformed too and for her sake too, put the prick back in.
The reference detailed how obtaining a property is crucial for being allowed access to his son. At least weve done the Ex a favour 🤷‍♀️
OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:47

@Newworld2021

I would contact the police directly tomorrow and raise the concerns.

In terms of contacting probation - be mindful of data protection legislation. I’m no expert but from my understanding consent was given to you to process his data in order to obtain a reference. By contacting probation you are processing this data in a different way than you were given permission to and could open yourself up to all sorts of challenge.

That's an interesting point. Does the PO reference say anything such as 'if you have any concerns or queries please contact me?' That should cover you.
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:50

At least you have the option of the PO. I was the victim of a crime 2 months ago and the police officer handling it still has not questioned the person in question! They keep fluting around asking for this that and the other from me, essentially leaving me to collect their bloody evidence for them!

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:50

It says "do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information"

OP posts:
Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:50

@Therewereroses so sorry to hear that, what a disgrace Thanks

OP posts:
Newworld2021 · 13/04/2021 23:50

[quote JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]@Newworld2021 if only be using data and information they volunteered, along with public information (police press release) to me so I should be ok I think[/quote]
Could be the case. Thought I’d just mention it. Just be mindful that whatever you do they must have consented to the way in which you’re handling their information.

Newworld2021 · 13/04/2021 23:52

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

It says "do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information"
I’d say thats a grey area as reads as ‘in regards to this reference’ not so you can provide them information.

I’m just mindful as I work in education safeguarding and we have to get consent sometimes to raise concerns and have to be very careful.

Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:52

Just be mindful that whatever you do they must have consented to the way in which you’re handling their information. It's an interesting one, but the onus is on the PO for offering to be contacted further maybe?

Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:54

Police are exempt from a lot of the GDPR bullshit, but I'm not sure how a victim of a crime might be protected. GDPR is a bit batshit at times.

Original poster
JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 13/04/2021 23:58

I suppose my loophole is "based on the information you gave me regarding Joe Bloggs, am I in a position to raise some safeguarding concerns that have arisen in relation to the information that was offered?". Hopefully they will say that's fine, and that is their consent to receive my information.

OP posts:
Therewereroses · 13/04/2021 23:58

You can definitely contact the police if you're in any doubt as to using his PO's contact details for reporting an offence as there are certainly exemptions for crime. You can specifically request that the police contact the probation officer and other professionals involved. They (police) can certainly use whatever info they like.

Therewereroses · 14/04/2021 00:00

I would request to receive written confirmation though that it has be done as my God but police are slow at admin! I appreciate they have more to be doing most of the time, but it can be frustrating.

Therewereroses · 14/04/2021 00:01

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

I suppose my loophole is "based on the information you gave me regarding Joe Bloggs, am I in a position to raise some safeguarding concerns that have arisen in relation to the information that was offered?". Hopefully they will say that's fine, and that is their consent to receive my information.
That sounds like a work around to me!
CornishTiger · 14/04/2021 00:13

You need to report the crime - they tried the back door ffs. It’s an attempt to cause harassment and alarm as well as attempt to enter property. Police need to know the back story and get it logged.

Home safety visit from neighbourhoods team. Ring door bells etc.

Then you pass that log number to designated police officer ( look if he has one of those he’s not good news at all) and probation.

But make sure it is logged and crimed with 101. Does your force have live chat. You can copy and paste your post!

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