LL threatened nasty letter; LL posted letter with defamatory false accusations. (tenant, eviction)
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Our LL habitually uses outrageous behavior and language to control tenants. When LL didn't get expected result from tenant with threat of nasty letter, LL posted a letter to tenant (no envelope) on tenant's door using defamatory and false accusations about (edit: alledged) unlawful behavior on part of tenant. Is this libel and should the tenant file a civil suit against LL and management? Any comments?
By all means, file a lawsuit against your LL for posting something on your door. (And please note, something can only be libel or slander if it's false. So if the, um, alleged unlawful behavior is true ... well, you get the idea.)
Our LL habitually uses outrageous behavior and language to control tenants. When LL didn't get expected result from tenant with threat of nasty letter, LL posted a letter to tenant (no envelope) on tenant's door using defamatory and false accusations about (edit: alledged) unlawful behavior on part of tenant. Is this libel and should the tenant file a civil suit against LL and management? Any comments?
How about some more details? What is the 'tenant' being accused of?
1) Something false must be written or spoken (and you must prove it was false to win the suit)
2) The lie in #1 above must have caused you monetary harm(i.e. you lost money as a result of the lie, either a job or a customer bailed, etc)
If you are a tenant, it is very unlikely that you have a monetary loss even if landlord is making false statements.
Lastly, if you file a lawsuit, this goes on public record. It will affect all future jobs, all future rentals for you. Even if you drop the case and even if you win the case. The public record shows you will sue and some jobs will pass on hiring you because they think you might sue them for something trivial.
Unlawful behavior leads me to think the letter posted on the door was actually an official notice...
Common when laying the ground work for an eviction in my State...
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