Literally beside myself (long traumatic post)

[NetteNails]

Hi everyone.

I am literally beside myself and I'm not quite sure where to go from here or what I should do. So here's the story.

I've been renting a space from a terrible landlord who was also at the time business partners with my friend/hairdresser at the shop. I'm now 4 months pregnant with twins which they are aware of.

The room that I was renting from them had no ventilation and was full of damp. The walls started to crumble away and the walls were literally black from the mould. I could not continue to work in this environment.

I reported the problem several times to which they responded to but did not carry out the works. So I withheld the rent payment and said that the work needs to be done as I'm paying my money to sit in a damp room.

Before this all happened they said to me that I'm apparently in rent arrears of £1320 and this needs to be cleared. When I know I do not owe them that amount. This just gets worse.

They've continued to harass me with letters addressed to the shop as they do not have my actual home address and emails saying that they will seek legal advice if I do not clear the arrears. They have now changed the lock on my door so I cannot access my room to collect my belongings.

I had made a gesture to pay the rent I withheld and to set up a standing order but he literally threw it back in my face saying I need to pay another £850 and that I need to set up another standing order of £220. So I cancelled everything as he was not negotiating at all.

So my stuff is being held to ransom until I pay them money that I do not owe. We haven't even got an actual contract and I haven't signed anything. So they know that if I was to leave then there's not much they can do. They haven't got my address, they don't know my official name so how are they going to write me letters? I'm so stressed out and it's not good for my babies. I'm literally losing sleep over this and I really do not know what to do anymore.

Has anyone else been in such a situation and if so what did you do? I'm literally at the end of my tether.

Oh plot twist. I still have the keys to access the premises meaning the hair salon

 

[asteropi]

Change the lock at the hair salon until they give you back your stuff? Just a thought....
You should also ask some advice from some legal aid. They might be more suitable to help you.

 

[Carla-laa]

I think the best thing you can do is seek professional advice from the Citizens advice bureau. I don't think you can face this one on your own, especially in your condition, you need to keep your stress levels down!
I've used citizens advice before (about incorrect electric bills) and they were brilliant, really helpful and eased the pressure off of myself greatly.
It's all very well asking for advice on here but I really think you need a pro for this one. Good luck! X

 

[CFBS]

Definitely go and see Citizens advice or direct to a solicitor. Put the matter into their hands. It will ease the stress enormously.
What would be your estimated value of your property held to ransom?

 

[magentatears]

I'd say go get advice too but you may of shot yourself in the foot by with-holding the rent - they could use your equipment to take back the rent you have with-held

 

[nailove]

Not sure how it works there but in Canada I am pretty sure your belongings can not be held for ransom. Here I would call the RCMP and ask to be escorted to retrieve my belonging (would be the same situation as a domestic break-up that could potentially turn violent )....surely there must be someone who can help. I can't imagine they can legally keep your belongings for past rent, but would have to go after you legally, and where there is no lease, and the mould issue would probably condemn the space, I can't see how they'd can get very far.

 

[Emily9]

Did you put it in writing about the damp?

 

[NetteNails]

Hey ladies, I managed to get my stuff out of the shop under fakes pretence they wanted me to come back and work so I accepted and took my stuff back and left. I've blocked their numbers and haven't heard from them anymore. Thank goodness

 

[asteropi]

Hey ladies, I managed to get my stuff out of the shop under fakes pretence they wanted me to come back and work so I accepted and took my stuff back and left. I've blocked their numbers and haven't heard from them anymore. Thank goodness

Seems it ended up nicely. Good for you

 

[carolwheatley]

aaww I'm glad you've gotten it sorted hun xxxxx

 

[Carla-laa]

Good riddance to bad rubbish, I bet you're so relieved it's over. Fingers crossed you won't hear anymore from them.
Good luck with the twins! X

 

[NetteNails]

Good riddance to bad rubbish, I bet you're so relieved it's over. Fingers crossed you won't hear anymore from them.
Good luck with the twins! X

The owner rang me the other day to ask me if I know any nail techs that would like to work in their shop! The shop has gone downhill tho as its only open Friday and Saturday due to lack of staff. Everyone is leaving!!!

 

[NetteNails]

aaww I'm glad you've gotten it sorted hun xxxxx

Thank you it was such a nightmare but I'm glad it's over now xx