The landlord was allegedly also in the habit of visiting the property and staring through the windows at the tenants.

The landlord rented the property to a "young family" on a 12 month tenancy. However, nine months into the tenancy she gave the tenants a hand-written note asking that they vacate the property immediately. Subsequently she served two notices "seeking possession" (section 8 notices) one of which was invalid.

After a complaint was made to Derby Council's housing standards team in 2022, a prosecution was commenced under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. At the Magistrates Court hearing on 13th March this year it was alleged that the landlord "began to repeatedly stand outside the property and stare through [the] windows". Then, whilst the family were away on holiday, the landlord entered the property without consent from the tenants and changed the locks without providing a new set of keys to the tenant family.

The landlord pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £600 and ordered to pay £950 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge. The council says that the tenants were supported by the council's housing options team and Direct Help and Advice (a legal advice, assistance and representation organisation in Derby) and have now found a new home.

A council spokesperson is quoted as saying "This prosecution sends a strong message to that minority of unscrupulous landlords that the council is not afraid to take legal action to safeguard tenants and their wellbeing".

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