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Rogue landlord guilty of illegal eviction

north street

A landlord who illegally kicked out his tenant and took their belongings has been fined a modest £237.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s private sector housing team investigated a property in North Street, Leighton Buzzard, in April 2024 where they uncovered serious breaches of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Landlord Stuart Kellman pleaded guilty to unlawfully depriving a tenant of access to their home and unlawfully removing the tenant’s belongings during a hearing at Luton Magistrates Court. Kellman was fined £237 in total (£60 for each offence, a contribution towards costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £32).

Outcome

The outcome sends a clear and powerful message: unlawful behaviour by rogue landlords will not be tolerated, says councillor Steven Watkins (pictured), executive member for housing and assets. “We are pleased with the outcome of this case, which reflects the seriousness of the offences and the risk posed to tenants,” adds Watkins.

“It demonstrates our firm stance against rogue landlords. We will not hesitate to take legal action against those who breach their responsibilities and put tenants at risk. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their home, and we are committed to protecting that right.”

Guilty

Landlords might be guilty of illegal eviction if they don’t give tenants proper notice to leave the property, change the locks on a rental property, or evict a tenant without a court order.

It's also a crime to harass a tenant or try to force them out of a property without using proper procedures, such as stopping services like electricity, withholding keys, refusing to carry out repairs or using threats and physical violence.

Tags:

Landlord fines
Illegal eviction

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