Landlord hounded solicitor over 'eye-watering divorce bill'

A Glasgow landlord who followed a solicitor and loitered outside his home after receiving an “eye-watering” divorce bill has appeared before the council’s licensing committee.

Alan Mackin, 66, rents out rooms within a property in Govan’s Edwin Street and applied for a three-year house in multiple occupation licence.

Police sergeant David Gilmore told a council meeting last week how Mr Mackin had been “in a dispute” with a Glasgow company.

Sergeant Gilmore said Mr Mackin “repeatedly attended at the home address of one of the partners of the firm and loitered outside”.

Councillors heard how Mr Mackin tried to enter the common close and stood in front of the law firm partner as he tried to leave – making abusive remarks about another colleague.

Sergeant Gilmore said Mr Mackin repeatedly walked past the victim’s house and ran past him in the street “acting in an intimidating manner”.

He was fined £750 at court in 2019 over the charge of engaging in a course of conduct causing another person fear and alarm, which occurred in 2017.

Representing Mr Mackin, Archie MacIver said: “The background to the conviction is that it arose from a divorce action in which Mr Mackin was involved.”

Speaking at the licensing and regulatory committee, he said Mr Mackin “had been left” with an “eye-watering” bill from the firm of solicitors who carried out work for his client.

Mr MacIver said: “This conviction has no connection whatsoever with the letting of any flats or interaction with tenants.”

Describing his client as having a “good reputation”, Mr MacIver said he had been a landlord for 30 years with ten flats and has never had any issues.

He said: “They (tenants) normally stay for many, many years in his properties.”

Committee chair, councillor Alex Wilson, said: “The facts of the matter are he behaved in a manner which is unbecoming of anyone to be fair.”

Councillor Wilson added: “We have to make sure this is a one-off situation.

“Has Mr Mackin learned from this incident? Does he have anger management issues? Is this likely to be repeated?”

Describing his client as “no spring chicken”, Mr MacIver said: “The offence occurred back in 2017 so we are four-and-a-half years down the line with no indication of any repeat behaviour.”

Explaining how his firm has represented Mr Mackin for many years, he said: “He has never caused us any problems during that time. Clearly as you appreciate our fees are exceptionally reasonable and clearly won’t cause him any issues.”

Glasgow City councillors have continued the matter for further information before they make a decision on the granting of the licence.

By local democracy reporter Sarah Hilley