Doorstep harassment

[Scooters]

All,

 

I've had Direct Collections chasing me for a debt to a former landlord for 3 months now.

 

Before Christmas I had promised to send them a goodwill payment despite the total amount owed being in dispute.

 

Last week I emailed them to tell them that on advise, I was not going to make any payment until the dispute on the final figure had been settled.

 

They ignored this and today visited my house and spoke to my wife about it.

 

I am 300 miles away at the moment, she is alone with our child.

 

I called them just now and requested that they refrain from visiting and tolld them that they had no legal right to collect a debt which was in dispute.

 

The response I got was very aggressive and the upshot is that they are going to issue a summons.

 

I told them to do what they might but any further doorstep visits we would call the police - they scoffed at this and told me they would do what they wanted.

 

Any suggestions please?

 

As you can imagine this behaviour is causing a great deal of stress at home.

 

Were they chasing a credit card I would merely ask them for a CCA but in this instance I am at a loss.

[Scooters]

I've just hit them with this one:

9th January 2008

Dear Sirs,

 

Please be advised that I am only prepared to communicate with you in writing. OFT rules and regulations clearly state that you can only visit me at my home if you make an appointment and I have no wish to make an appointment with you. There is only an implied license under Law for people to be able to visit me on my property without express permission; the postman and people asking for directions etc (Armstrong v. Sheppard and Short Ltd [1959] 2 Q.B. per Lord Evershed M.R.).

 

Therefore take note that I revoke license under Law for you, or your representatives, to visit me at my property and if you persist in sending “doorstep callers” to my home, you will be reported for harassment and be liable for damages for a tort of trespass. You would also be liable for conspiring in a tort of trespass by acting in defiance of my instructions and sending someone to visit me nevertheless.

 

Should it be necessary, I will obtain an injunction.

 

Yours sincerely

not sure if it will work in Scotland

[patrickq1]

that should do the trick scooter hope it goes well for you and if you have a dispute bring it to the landlords notice in writing their is a forum on here landlords etc

good luck mate

patrickq1