A Harrow Council tenant has received £115,000 in compensation after the local authority unlawfully ended his secure tenancy and re-let his home.

The tenant, Mr Nagar, returned in December 2023 to find his property had been let to someone else without warning, leaving him homeless and without his possessions. The council relied on a Notice to Quit signed by his ex-wife, but the notice gave only six days’ notice — far short of the minimum four weeks required under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors challenged the notice in the High Court, arguing it was invalid. Harrow Council attempted to defend the claim by suggesting the notice could take effect from a later date, but statutory rules make clear the notice period runs from the date of service.

Facing a strong case, the council agreed to settle for £115,000, recognising the seriousness of the unlawful eviction.

The case highlights the critical importance of correctly scrutinising Notices to Quit, particularly in joint tenancies. Even small procedural errors can render a notice invalid and expose landlords — including councils — to significant legal and financial consequences.