A Derby landlord has been ordered to pay more than £1600 after pleading guilty to an illegal eviction.
Grace Young of Pear Tree Street, Derby rented an unfurnished property to a young family for 12 months. Nine months into their tenancy, she handed the tenants a hand-written note asking them to vacate the property immediately. She then served two notices seeking possession, one of which was to be found invalid.
Ms Young was prosecuted under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 following complaints made to Derby City Council’s Housing Standards team in 2022.
At Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Monday, 13 March, Ms Young was fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £950. In addition, she was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60.
The court heard that during the notice period, Ms Young began to repeatedly stand outside the property and stare through windows. While the tenants were away on a short break, the landlord entered the property and changed the locks without informing the tenants or providing them with new keys.
Following the tenant’s report to the Housing Standards Team, the family was offered support from Direct Help and Advice and the Council’s Housing Options Team.
The family has since found a new home.
Councillor Matthew Eyre, Cabinet Member for Community Development, Place and Tourism said:
All landlords have a duty of care to their tenants and while the vast majority of private landlords in the city take their legal obligations seriously, there are a small minority who don’t.
This prosecution sends a strong message to that minority of unscrupulous landlords that the Council is not afraid to take legal action to safeguard tenants and their wellbeing.
I would encourage anyone with concerns about their rented property or their landlord to report this to our team.
Tenants can contact the Housing Standards team through the Derby City Council website.