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Prosecution of a 天涯社区 Landlord for unlawful eviction and harassment
Published: 21/09/2022
天涯社区鈥檚 Environmental Health Officers have prosecuted a 天涯社区 private sector landlord for unlawfully evicting and harassing a tenant living in a private rented property. The landlord鈥檚 acts had included the removal of the toilet, sink and other bathroom fittings from the bathroom.esday 19th July 2022 at Mold Magistrates Court, Mr Terrence Kermode of Wood Lane, Hawarden pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawful eviction and harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and the matter was adjourned to a sentencing hearing.
At the sentencing hearing on Thursday 15th September 2022 at Mold Magistrates Court, it was offered in mitigation that Mr Kermode was 76, had no prior convictions and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.听 听It was heard that Mr Kermode was allowing his daughter to take over the business and that Mr Kermode had ripped out the bathroom in a 鈥渕oment of madness鈥� in the knowledge that there was rent and bills outstanding.
The Magistrates remarked that Mr Kermode鈥檚 behaviour was 鈥渙utrageous鈥� and that he had essentially broken into someone鈥檚 home, and removed belongings and a bathroom, which is completely unacceptable for anyone, especially a landlord of 30 years. 听In accordance with the pre-sentencing report, the Magistrates handed down a Financial Penalty (Band D fine of 拢1000), a court surcharge (拢100) and awarded FCC鈥檚 full costs (拢2,623.14).听 Mr Kermode has 28 days to pay.听
天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Planning, Public Health and Public Protection, Councillor Christopher Bithell, said:听
鈥淲e believe everyone has the right to live in a home which is in good repair, safe, warm and secure. Whilst we aim to reduce the health effects of poor housing conditions through a combination of advice and financial assistance, occasionally we deal with matters that are so serious a prosecution is necessary.
This successful prosecution sends out a clear message to landlords that 天涯社区 will do all it can to protect its residents from unlawful eviction and harassment.听 It reflects 天涯社区鈥檚 commitment to ensuring homes in the private rented sector are properly managed and that tenants are afforded the security that they need during the current cost of living crisis.鈥�
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