A landlord has been fined just £440 after he effectively left a tenant homeless.
Warrington Magistrates Court heard that Peter Lamont, the landlord of a property in Widne, Lancashire, unlawfully deprived his tenant of access to the property by changing the locks which left him homeless.
Lamont, also of Widnes, pleaded guilty to a single charge under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and was fined £440 and ordered to pay the costs incurred by Halton council, which brought the prosecution.
Council spokeswoman Stef Nelson said: “It’s a criminal offence for any letting agent or landlord to illegally evict tenants from their property. Landlords and letting agents must follow the correct legal process when terminating a tenancy.
"We hope that this successful prosecution sends out a clear message that we take allegations of illegal eviction very seriously and will not hesitate to take action against landlords and letting agents who violate the rights of their tenants.”
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Why did the landlord do this? A bit more depth to this story would have been appreciated, as after all in some areas an empty property means council tax?
Seems as though the fine is less than the total cost of some evictions, seems strange traceadebt.com
I believe the tenants would have been give possession of the property again as well if they wanted since it was an illegal eviction. sounds like a result for the Landlord if not
Ooh let that be a warning to you!
Good Judgement, All the law is pro tenant, landlord or agent has to see how illegal occupant damaging their property and not paying rent.In name of human right rogue tenant always take advantage .We rented one of our property to Mr X and he sublet to few people without our information,once we found regarding sublet,our agency served section 21 notice the main tenant runway but left few tenant there.
Our agency never received any rent from sublet people neither we have any contract with them but council told us follow court eviction.in the mean time sublet tenant neither paying rent nor and also their occupy different room and damaging property day by day.we can just see our destruction as spectator and also loosing £2500pm. you suggestion will be welcome to resolve this problem.
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