Slandering ex-Tenant

[T. Walters]

Jurisdiction

Georgia

Can a landlord sue for pecuniary damages if a former tenant contacts a current tenant which ultimately causes the current tenant so much discomfort that she moves out within months of contact breaking her lease, resulting us losing rental revenue.

 

[adjusterjack]

In theory, you can sue the former tenant for "tortious interference" (google it) but, in reality, your chances of ever seeing a nickel from it are slim to none.

Your best cause of action is against the tenant who broke the lease.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

While the case against the former tenant can also include a defamation claim if false statements were uttered, your best remedy - by far - is to sue the tenant for breaching the lease agreement. And if the tenant had the right to break the lease agreement then chances are your case for tortious interference goes away along with it. If the conversation between the current and former tenant was about, e.g. how bad the neighborhood is near the residence, that wouldn't constitute sufficient cause to terminate the lease. And as @adjusterjack says, your best cause of action is to sue the party with which you had a contractual relationship.