A council has successfully prosecuted a private landlord for the unlawful eviction of tenants from privately rented accommodation in Coleraine.
The landlord – who has not been named by Causeway Coast and Glens council – pleaded guilty to illegal eviction. He changed the locks at the property and prevented the tenants from re-entering.
Illegal eviction of a tenant is an offence under Article 54(1) of The Rent (NI) Order 1978 as amended by Article 60 of The Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006. The court imposed a fine of £350 and ordered the landlord to pay costs of £201 together with an offender levy of £15.
Local mayor Councillor Ciarán McQuillan says: “This case demonstrates Council’s commitment to upholding the legal rights of tenants living in private rented accommodation. No one should be forced out of their home through illegal means, and this prosecution highlights the vital role our Environmental Health team plays in enforcing housing laws.
“It reinforces that landlords must follow due process when ending a tenancy, and failure to do so will not be tolerated.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today