Can my friend sue for harassment?

[pinny]

Dear CAG

 

I'm encouraging a friend of mine to sign up but while she's in the process can I get some advice for her please? Following substandard work completed at her house, it then transpired that the handyman in question had not given her the cancellation rights she was legally due, thus putting him in the position of committing a criminal offence. This has been confirmed by Trading Standards. The handyman is aware of this and admitted it in writing. In the same letter he confirmed that he was in any case putting this in the hands of a debt collection agency, which has been in touch with my friend. The issue is not the DCA but the behaviour of the handyman which is tantamount to harassment according to one informal legal opinion of another friend. Does my friend have a case to sue for harassment; what are the timescales and damages likely to be if so? Where to start please?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

Pinny

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Dear CAG

 

I'm encouraging a friend of mine to sign up but while she's in the process can I get some advice for her please? Following substandard work completed at her house, it then transpired that the handyman in question had not given her the cancellation rights she was legally due, thus putting him in the position of committing a criminal offence. This has been confirmed by Trading Standards. The handyman is aware of this and admitted it in writing. In the same letter he confirmed that he was in any case putting this in the hands of a debt collection agency, which has been in touch with my friend. The issue is not the DCA but the behaviour of the handyman which is tantamount to harassment according to one informal legal opinion of another friend. Does my friend have a case to sue for harassment; what are the timescales and damages likely to be if so? Where to start please?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

Pinny

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, what exactly makes the handyman's conduct "tantamount to harassment"?

 

 

Is he making constant phone calls, e-mailing, texting or calling at the property?

 

 

Placing an account/debt with a debt collector is not harassment.

[BazzaS]

Dear CAG

 

I'm encouraging a friend of mine to sign up but while she's in the process can I get some advice for her please? Following substandard work completed at her house, it then transpired that the handyman in question had not given her the cancellation rights she was legally due, thus putting him in the position of committing a criminal offence. This has been confirmed by Trading Standards. The handyman is aware of this and admitted it in writing. In the same letter he confirmed that he was in any case putting this in the hands of a debt collection agency, which has been in touch with my friend. The issue is not the DCA but the behaviour of the handyman which is tantamount to harassment according to one informal legal opinion of another friend. Does my friend have a case to sue for harassment; what are the timescales and damages likely to be if so? Where to start please?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

Pinny

 

What in their behaviour makes it harrasment?

Your post is a bit light on the detail to allow for comment.

[pinny]

Thanks Brigadier - he has sent numerous texts and called round without making prior arrangements. What feels wrong is that he was told by Trading Standards that because there was no written quote; no 2 week cooling off period; the work was described as dangerous and contravening building regs by a member of the Fed of Master Builders; and he started work without being commissioned to do so, in law there was no debt. But the very same day, having received that advice, he put the amount he claimed with a DCA. Look forward to hearing your views and thanks again. Pinny

[ims21]

I think it might be an idea to wait for your friend to post as this is all so nebulous and lacking in detail.

 

What work did he do that was not commissioned?

 

If he was a handyman doing some work on your friend's property, did they not spot him doing the werk that had not been commissioned?

 

But the very same day, having received that advice, he put the amount he claimed with a DCA

 

The very same day as what?

 

There is so much missing here that it is impossible for anyone to know what the actuality was.

[pinny]

OK thanks everyone. I've asked her to do that

 

Pinny