A tenant has been awarded £53,000 in damages after being forcibly evicted without notice and having her home extensively damaged by her landlord.

According to Duncan Lewis Solicitors, who represented the tenant, the case highlights the serious legal and financial consequences landlords face when they bypass proper eviction procedures.

The tenant, who had lived at the property since 1999, was repeatedly targeted by the landlord. In May last year, he chained the gates and blocked access, forcing her to leave with only a few belongings.

When the court later ordered the landlord to return the keys, he instead began destroying the property — tearing bricks from the roof and smashing windows, leaving the home uninhabitable.

The court awarded:

• £14,760 for lost belongings
• £38,250 for 153 days of homelessness

reflecting the severity of the landlord’s actions.

Warning to Landlords

Johnley Videña, caseworker at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, said the ruling should serve as a clear warning:  “Landlords must follow proper legal channels when seeking to regain possession.

Taking matters into your own hands not only violates tenants’ rights but can result in serious financial penalties and legal consequences.

This case is a stark warning — always respect due process.”

The case also involved a contempt of court application after the landlord initially refused to comply with an injunction.
The tenant has since regained access to the property, though extensive repairs were required before it could be made habitable again.

Editor’s Note: How Landlords Can Avoid Legal Pitfalls

This case underlines the importance of following the correct legal eviction process under the Housing Act 1988 and associated legislation.

Landlords seeking possession must:

1. Serve the correct notice — either a Section 21 (no-fault) or Section 8 (breach of tenancy) notice, depending on the circumstances.
2. Wait for the statutory notice period to expire before applying to court.
3. Obtain a possession order from the court before taking back the property.
4. Use court-appointed enforcement officers if eviction is required — never attempt to evict a tenant personally.

Unlawful eviction is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, punishable by fines, compensation orders, and even imprisonment.

Landlords who are unsure of the correct process should seek advice from a solicitor, a professional letting agent, or consult gov.uk/evicting-tenants.