Here's the background. I'm self-employed and I've been running my business for 18months above another business (separate). I pay rent weekly to the owner of the business below mine and she pays rent for her business to the owner of the property that houses both our businesses. So I sub-rent?
Anyway, I have kept myself to myself since the beginning really as the owner of the other business is not someone I would ever get on with outside of work. She is quite an aggressive person, very gobby, in my eyes unprofessional in that she talks badly of her clients, swears in front of them and is incredibly tactless. So I keep out of her way but she comes to me every so often for a treatment and we 'get on' ok. I would never let on that I dislike her as obviously I wouldn't be renting her room if she knew.
A while ago I borrowed an item from her salon for a home visit, has wasn't at work for me to ask but with the intention of returning it the next day but took it home in my car, took it out to put some shopping in and basically forgot to bring it back. My fault entirely.
One morning last week she asked me if I had seen her item, I apologised and explained I'd borrowed it and I would bring it back the next day. She was annoyed, said 'but it's mine!' And huffed off.
I thought to myself, ok, I should have brought it back but also felt a tad annoyed for her for being hypocritical and reacting as she did as for about 6mths now she has been using an item of mine for display purposes and never asked my permission either. I've never brought this up with her as I dread any confrontation with her so I just let it go.
On the way home that evening she was with a client and barked to me 'bring my item back tomorrow' I answered (a bit irratated) 'I said I would', then she launched a verbal attack on me, got right in my face accusing me of certain things. I felt intimated and frankly quite shocked. I told her she needed to calm down and walked out.
20 mins later she phoned me and launched another verbal attack ending in the 2weeks notice she is giving me. I hardly got a word in edgeways and couldn't get to the bottom of her issue with me. What I find so bizarre is that I hardly ever see her and when she comes for a treatment we talk pleasantly enough so I would have assumed that if she had an issue with me she would have chosen one of these times in which to bring it up.
I am gutted as I have but up a very good client base and enjoy my work but obviously have felt uncomfortable with where I work because of her attitude. Many of my clients sense an atmosphere when they have to pass through her area to get to me and they are aware of what she is like and dislike her a lot.
When I came looking for a room to rent 18months ago I couldn't get her to sign a contract with me and I suspect she doesn't declare my rent. I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant and just want to know if I have any rights at all? If I could get 6 weeks then that would be better as I could start maternity leave then therefore I would have some income and be able to search for another premises whilst being on leave.
I can't believe that as a mother herself she would do this to me, and what is so shocking is that I still have no idea what her issue is! Please help!