A landlord has been found guilty of criminal damage to a tenant’s belongings, as well as unlawful eviction. It is the first time a landlord in the Bradford area has been prosecuted for criminal damage.
Susan Lowe of 1 Crowther Cottages, Marsden denied the charges at Bradford Crown Court relating to an unlawful eviction of a private tenant and her partner in July 2007.
The prosecution was brought by Kirklees Council’s Private Sector Housing Unit under the 1977 Protection from Eviction Act which makes it a criminal offence for a landlord or agent to harass or unlawfully evict a private tenant.
Lowe was also found guilty of criminal damage to the tenant’s belongings, which were removed and left outside in the rain. She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £1,500.
The court was told that while the tenant was away for the weekend Lowe changed the locks and moved the tenant’s belongings outside. She later refused to co-operate with council officers when she was contacted and did not comply with a County Court Injunction requiring her to let the tenant back in.
Insp Mark Trueman said: “This was a joint action, the first of its kind here in Kirklees. I am pleased with the outcome of the trial and believe it sends out a clear, positive message to both tenant and landlord that The Valleys NPT will ensure any incidents reported of this nature will be thoroughly investigated with our partners ensuring a positive outcome.
“Thankfully cases of this nature are rare here in Kirklees, but by working together we will continue to strive to make The Valleys and Kirklees a safer place for all.”
Cllr Andrew Marchington, Joint Kirklees Cabinet member for Adults and Communities, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this case, which demonstrates that action will be taken to deal with the minority of landlords who break the law.
“We are also very pleased with the way in which the police have worked together with us to tackle this issue and this supports our aim to protect communities.
“The majority of landlords are responsible and law abiding and we work with them in a number of ways, offering support and advice to private landlords and tenants on their rights and responsibilities.
“The council runs a very successful Landlord Accreditation Scheme, a Private Landlords Forum and seeks to work with private landlords to provide accommodation via the Housing Options and Support Service, Private Sector Lettings Team.”
