Renter - Can I get in legal trouble for not paying?

[mobiryder]

We are in a disagreement with our former landlord. We moved out a few months ago, after having given notice to the property manager.

The Landlord calls up and says over the course of our brief tenure, 5 months of rent were missing. (They were all paid, we're digging through records to prove it)
He says he will have the police at our doorstep any day.

 

Can he do this? (Regardless of when we prove him wrong, he's pressing us with the police threats).

What is the worst he can do? Be it that we do prove it shortly, or cannot prove it.

 

Thanks.

[richard_smith237]

I'm not sure what he [the landlord] can do, but know one thing, Thai's can't help themselves from threatening foreigners with the Police over the smallest of matters. It's as if they think as soon as the word 'Police' is mentioned that we will turn into pathetic wrecks and give in. 

 

There are also other thoughts, did you pay the landlord directly, or through an agent. It is possible the landlord did not receive the money from the agent, OR, if you have paid directly and can show proof of the online Transaction then you should be clear. OR, if you paid in Cash, you have a receipt, right?

 

On another note, good luck getting your deposit back !

 

 

[ThomasThBKK]

Rental law is a civil matter so no normally not, but you know there are dirty cops in thailand...

If he's claiming to the police you didn't pay and makes false accusations that's a criminal offence and can end badly for him.

 

Did you tell him already that you will report him to the revenue department? Thais are all tax dodgers.

You can also report him to the consumer protection department: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/05/16/thai-law-landlord-not-playing-by-new-rules-heres-what-to-do/

 

 

Dogs that bark don't bite...usually. He's full of crap most likely, but why can't you proof your payments?

[YoungBrit]

Did you receive your deposit back? If you did, you would only have done so if you had completed the contract, ie paid all of the rent required. 

[alacrity]

Yes he can. The police tend to involve themselves in civil disputes. Especially where there's a probability of profit.

Best to avoid such a compromising situation. Hopefully you can find your receipt of payments to the 'property manager'. If so, show them to the landlord and play hardball. Any additional proof of payments and/or returns would bolster your position.

Without proofs you're looking at pure hearsay when cost v.s return comes into play.

Most likely the issue is with your 'property manager'.  Could be a symbiotic relationship though.