A tenant has been awarded £53,000 in damages after her landlord forcibly evicted her without notice and caused extensive damage to the property.
Solicitors acting for the tenant claim this highlights the serious legal consequences landlords face when they bypass proper eviction procedures.
The tenant, who had lived at the property since 1999, was repeatedly targeted by the landlord according to a statement from Duncan Lewis Solicitors.
In May last year the landlord chained the gates and blocked access, forcing her to leave with few belongings.
The legal firm says when the court ordered him to return the keys, he instead began destroying the home, tearing off bricks from the roof and smashing windows, leaving the property uninhabitable.
The court awarded £14,760 for lost belongings and £38,250 for the 153 days the tenant was left homeless, reflecting the severity of the landlord’s actions.
Johnley Videña, caseworker at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, says: “Landlords must follow proper legal channels when seeking to regain possession. Taking matters into your own hands not only violates tenants’ rights, but can result in serious financial penalties and legal consequences. This case is a stark warning: always respect due process.”
The case also involved a contempt of court application due to the landlord’s initial refusal to comply with the injunction. The tenant was eventually able to regain access, although the home required extensive repairs.
