Councils have become increasingly active over landlord licensing and private rental sector health and safety issues - now one is warning that it will take robust action against landlords who illegally evict tenants.
Carmarthenshire county council's housing division has issued a warning to local landlords after a recent prosecution involving an eviction in the Llanelli area.
In December, landlord Kevin Mansel Rees pleaded guilty to the illegal eviction of his tenant from a flat above a post office. He was fined £360 with £36 victim surcharge and £600 costs, and left with a criminal record.
The council initiated the prosecution and made it it clear it had several witnesses who were prepared to testify, although eventually the landlord submitted a guilty plea.
We work very closely with landlords to ensure they are well aware of the law, and the standards we expect of them. But when these standards are not met, we will use all powers available to us to ensure tenants are safeguarded says a council spokesman.
This recent prosecution sends out a strong message that we do enforce the law, and hopefully it will encourage landlords to think twice before committing acts of this kind.
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Comments
I feel for these people in the councils. They put all that hard work into presenting the case to the court then this individual is [b]only[/b] fined just shy of 1000. After all, using the UK average rent as a yard-stick - this chap's fine is less than two months' rent. Appalling - should have been a lot more in my opinion so as to act as a deterrent to other Landlords thinking of doing this