I'm in Boston, MA. Although this situation is related to the Tenant/landlord issues, but my question is closer to "Libel category".
My former roommate (supposed to be a 6-week subletter, but stayed 3+ weeks) may not be able to fully carry out his threat, but could still cause either a large financial loss or a major disruption in my life.
He wrote that he can get the landlord to evict me. Although it seems unlikely, it still affects my mind. After imagining it, my blood pressure goes up, my stomach pains come back, and this thought distracts me from other important tasks.
Below is maybe too long background while my own actions and the related questions are at the very end.
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I am the main leaseholder of the apartment, always paid the rent on time and take a good care of it. I'd like to live here long. But it is expensive and difficult for me to pay. I was subletting rooms when other family members are away. My lease allows adding another tenant upon approval of his/her rental application, but it is not practical for a couple months. I and my spouse are the only responsible long-term tenants.
This person came for studies from another country with a different culture. He did not pay the entire agreed upon originally amount of "move in costs" but promised to pay in smaller installments. He did (in cash), but not fully. He arrived when thousands of students leave for winter break, graduating, etc. There was little chance of finding someone else, so I agreed. He also suggested a buddy for only 3 weeks, which was convenient, until my son returned. But his PayPal eChaeck (never heard of it before) kept bouncing and was finally declined. "The buddy" promised to bring cash, but eventually left.
Soon afterward the first guy wrote he also had moved out and asked for a refund. He took all his stuff, but his buddy's bags stayed in his room.
But I consider it unfair, I wouldn't let strangers into my home and share the bathroom, etc. if I had lots of money. I need it to pay rent, heating bills, etc.
The (first) guy disputed his PayPal payment because "he never received the item". This put my account into a negative balance. PayPal demanded that I transfer additional funds or provide a confirmation that the item was shipped to his Mexican address. I wrote that I'm not a merchant, this is a roommate dispute. It's for a small claims court, not for them. But the negative balance remains.
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The above are minor issues compared to the major threat. I don't know how this guy got the landlord's cell phone number, probably from the neighbors. I didn't know it myself until now. I moved in 2 years ago and things have changed since then.
He says that I'm violating the lease by renting out rooms without the landlord's permission. Therefore, I should return the money. He's never seen the lease, but I mentioned at the beginning that it's needed for the long term.
It would not result in eviction, but could be an obstacle to renewal (coming up soon). Or the rent goes up a lot, forcing me to move out. I spent several hundred hours if not over a thousand on finding/securing the apartment, moving in with all my belongings, and setting it up. To do that again would be a major disruption in my life.
This guy did not pay in full, did not participate in the upkeep of the apartment during his stay, is "wrestling" for his first partial payment, and feels that could get more. It seems he liked the outcome for another guy and wants to take advantage of my vulnerability.
I'm strongly against giving money to those who blackmail/extort. It may not help me, because he can ask for more. He may have already contacted the landlord if he actually got his contacts (hopefully not).
In addition, he has called dozens of times (from his Mexican number, so it's hard to call back), has come and rung our very loud doorbell dozens of times at odd hours, important expected mail was missing.
I have filed a police report and will get a restraining order from the court. But I don't know how to serve it, he didn't leave an address.
What do other people think? The most helpful would be the specific wording in the Complaint for Protection from Harassment. I already filled most parts of it.
I would like the court order to specifically state that further actions aimed at harming me, are not allowed. It could be written in one, at most two sentences.
My former roommate (supposed to be a 6-week subletter, but stayed 3+ weeks) may not be able to fully carry out his threat, but could still cause either a large financial loss or a major disruption in my life.
He wrote that he can get the landlord to evict me. Although it seems unlikely, it still affects my mind. After imagining it, my blood pressure goes up, my stomach pains come back, and this thought distracts me from other important tasks.
Below is maybe too long background while my own actions and the related questions are at the very end.
~~~~
I am the main leaseholder of the apartment, always paid the rent on time and take a good care of it. I'd like to live here long. But it is expensive and difficult for me to pay. I was subletting rooms when other family members are away. My lease allows adding another tenant upon approval of his/her rental application, but it is not practical for a couple months. I and my spouse are the only responsible long-term tenants.
This person came for studies from another country with a different culture. He did not pay the entire agreed upon originally amount of "move in costs" but promised to pay in smaller installments. He did (in cash), but not fully. He arrived when thousands of students leave for winter break, graduating, etc. There was little chance of finding someone else, so I agreed. He also suggested a buddy for only 3 weeks, which was convenient, until my son returned. But his PayPal eChaeck (never heard of it before) kept bouncing and was finally declined. "The buddy" promised to bring cash, but eventually left.
Soon afterward the first guy wrote he also had moved out and asked for a refund. He took all his stuff, but his buddy's bags stayed in his room.
But I consider it unfair, I wouldn't let strangers into my home and share the bathroom, etc. if I had lots of money. I need it to pay rent, heating bills, etc.
The (first) guy disputed his PayPal payment because "he never received the item". This put my account into a negative balance. PayPal demanded that I transfer additional funds or provide a confirmation that the item was shipped to his Mexican address. I wrote that I'm not a merchant, this is a roommate dispute. It's for a small claims court, not for them. But the negative balance remains.
~~~~
The above are minor issues compared to the major threat. I don't know how this guy got the landlord's cell phone number, probably from the neighbors. I didn't know it myself until now. I moved in 2 years ago and things have changed since then.
He says that I'm violating the lease by renting out rooms without the landlord's permission. Therefore, I should return the money. He's never seen the lease, but I mentioned at the beginning that it's needed for the long term.
It would not result in eviction, but could be an obstacle to renewal (coming up soon). Or the rent goes up a lot, forcing me to move out. I spent several hundred hours if not over a thousand on finding/securing the apartment, moving in with all my belongings, and setting it up. To do that again would be a major disruption in my life.
This guy did not pay in full, did not participate in the upkeep of the apartment during his stay, is "wrestling" for his first partial payment, and feels that could get more. It seems he liked the outcome for another guy and wants to take advantage of my vulnerability.
I'm strongly against giving money to those who blackmail/extort. It may not help me, because he can ask for more. He may have already contacted the landlord if he actually got his contacts (hopefully not).
In addition, he has called dozens of times (from his Mexican number, so it's hard to call back), has come and rung our very loud doorbell dozens of times at odd hours, important expected mail was missing.
I have filed a police report and will get a restraining order from the court. But I don't know how to serve it, he didn't leave an address.
What do other people think? The most helpful would be the specific wording in the Complaint for Protection from Harassment. I already filled most parts of it.
I would like the court order to specifically state that further actions aimed at harming me, are not allowed. It could be written in one, at most two sentences.
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