In our 24th June article, bad actors are bad for business - including in the private rented sector, we referenced a criminal case that was being heard before Canterbury Crown Court and which centred around the illegal eviction and harassment of tenants at properties in Margate. In one incident the managing agents at the center of the charge list had arranged for a gang to douse a tenant in petrol and beat him up resulting in that tenant "losing several teeth" .

This case has now concluded bar the sentencing (scheduled for October this year) with a total of 28 unanimous guilty verdicts handed down by the jury in relation to 4 defendants.

Initially legal proceedings were started against just one defendant but in a prime example of how best laid tactical plans can backfire, that defendant - Ms Sohila Tamiz - elected for a jury trial rather than pleading guilty. Her decision backfired when, in the course of instructing Counsel to prepare and review the prosecution case, further investigations by Thanet DC brought to light further numerous examples of illegal behaviour that ended up with 3 further individuals associated with Ms Tamiz being added to the list of defendants.

According to the council "The unlawful actions of the defendants resulted in the council incurring significant costs in rehousing those tenants who had been systematically thrown out of their properties using violence or threats of violence." One of the defendants was described as working for Ms Tamiz as an "enforcer". The council also says that it "believes this case to be the largest ever prosecution of its type for offences under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.".

Cllr. Jill Bayford, cabinet member for housing, said "This is a landmark prosecution for us, and underpins our key priority of ensuring the ongoing safety of all of our residents. We hope that this outcome sends out the serious message to other landlords in the district, and further afield, that criminal activity, or any intimidatory or threatening behaviour towards tenants, will not be tolerated, but will be routinely prosecuted.".