A rogue landlord who tried to evict his tenant using “deplorable behaviour” has been jailed for eight weeks.

Kevin De Carteret, from Bristol, confronted the woman and handed her an illegal eviction notice when she asked him to give notice before visiting the property, after finding him using the bathroom in the house.

The tenant was forced to continue living there due to a lack of available affordable rented properties, and while she looked for a home that would also allow her dog. During this time, De Carteret threatened to remove the fridge, cancelled the cleaner who cleaned the communal areas and changed the house rules, so pets were no longer allowed.

Deplorable

Councillor Tom Renhard (pictured), Bristol Council’s cabinet member for housing delivery and homes, says: “This kind of behaviour is deplorable, and I was glad to see a strict sentence handed out in court.”

A consultation into an additional licensing scheme for the whole city and a selective scheme for landlords in the Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham, and Easton wards closes on 7th November.

An additional HMO licensing scheme is already in place in 12 central Bristol wards, which will run until July 2024, alongside Horfield, Bedminster and Brislington West, which were added last April.

Renhard adds that it wants clear standards and routes for tenants to raise concerns where property conditions and their management are falling short.

He adds: “This is why we are currently running a consultation on proposals to introduce new property licensing schemes in Bristol. We believe that licensing will help further improve the quality and management of private rented properties across the city.”