Dartford landlord fined £600 after locking his tenants out their flats
4:01pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News By Alan Woods
A DARTFORD landlord who locked his tenants out of their flats by changing the locks has been fined.
Sundra Tony Padayachee, 51, of Dene Road, pleaded guilty to altering the locks on three different occasions during 2011 at the flats he rented to tenants in West Hill.
A Dartford Council prosecution under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 saw Padayachee brought in front of magistrates in Dartford on February 12.
He admitted four counts of harassing an occupier to give up occupation of a premises.
Magistrates fined him a total of £600 and he was also ordered to pay £200 in costs.
Dartford Council’s portfolio holder for housing, Councillor Pat Coleman said, “We’re satisfied with the outcome of this case.
“It sends out a clear message that action will be taken by the council to deal with landlords who break the law.
“The majority of the borough’s landlords are responsible and law abiding and we work with them to offer both landlords and tenants support and advice on their rights and responsibilities.”
Comments(4)
Gypo.Joe
says...
11:41am Wed 27 Feb 13
End of story.
K2
says...
6:45pm Mon 4 Mar 13
K2
says...
6:45pm Mon 4 Mar 13
concerned.erith says...
4:27pm Tue 26 Feb 13
The law says they have more rights than the landlord.
I lost £2,500 with one tenant, I evicted him but still had to give him 6 more weeks (adding to the arrears) before he trashed the place and left his cat in the property to s*h*i*t everywhere.
I was told not to change the locks.
Next time to hell with them they're out on their ear and I will let them have the pleasure of taking me to court!
I did actually find a home for the cat with the a friend via CPL. Until my friend could take it there I returned to the property each day to feed it. He'd left it for a week!