'Wicked' directors given suspended sentences over illegal eviction

The directors of a supported housing company who illegally evicted a vulnerable tenant have been handed suspended jail sentences.

Kimberley Bethell, former director of Wolverhampton-based Phoenix Supported Housing CIC, and director Davinder Singh Chall told the tenant they would help with her financial, physical and mental health.

But Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that they failed to support her, provided misleading information and their actions meant she fell into debt before being illegally evicted.

The company is a provider of supported housing with a turnover of nearly £300,000 and its website boasts of both multiple contracts with local authorities and a network of 100+ private landlords who use its services, which include 'guaranteed long-term rent' agreements.

Bethell and Chall both admitted one charge each under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and one each under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The same charges were also brought against Phoenix Supported Housing CIC and guilty pleas were also given.

The pair were each sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, while Bethell was ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work and Chall was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation days. They were also told to pay the tenant £1,500 each. The company was fined £10,000 and will have to pay £15,000 towards Wolverhampton Council’s legal costs.

Ashamed

In sentencing, Judge Recorder Joanne Barker said Bethell and Chall’s behaviour was “thoroughly wicked” and they “should be ashamed of themselves”.

Failings included not telling the tenant that she would have to pay council tax when moving from one flat to another, and entering her into utilities contracts without her knowledge and then transferring an existing contract into her name without permission. The failures caused her to fall into debt and she was given 14 days to leave the flat.

Councillor Steve Evans (pictured), cabinet member for city housing, says unfortunately this is not an isolated incident in the supported housing sector.

“We are seeing concerning trends where landlords are misleading tenants about the security of their tenancy, denying tenants their rights in law and illegally evicting them by failing to follow the correct procedures,” he adds.