In a separate case, a landlord was handed a second banning order
A woman has been fined more than £14,000 after she unlawfully evicted two tenants from an illegally sublet housing association property in Trumpington. She had been subletting the property without permission from housing association BPHA.
The matter was referred to Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. The subtenant didn’t attend court, didn’t enter a plea, and was found guilty of illegal eviction of tenants.
Her behaviour was described as ‘appalling’. The judge ordered her to pay £14,431.55, including costs.
In a separate case in October, Cambridge City Council secured a second banning order against a rogue landlord. The landlord had previously been prosecuted twice by the council in 2021 and 2023.
In 2021, he was taken to court for failing to comply with an improvement notice – for which a 30-month banning order was imposed. In 2023, he had been prosecuted for multiple breaches of the banning order, including offences of harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and obstruction under the Housing Act 2004 for preventing council officers from carrying out their duties.
The second banning order application was made as a result of the second prosecution in 2023 and was heard at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. The landlord did not attend.
He is now banned from letting properties, engaging in letting agency work, or engaging in property management work in England for a period of five years. He has also been added to the national database of rogue landlords for the duration of the banning order to ensure other local authorities are aware of his convictions and to prevent him from operating in other areas.
If the order is breached, penalties can include imprisonment for up to 51 weeks, a court fine, or both. He could also get a civil penalty of up to £30,000.
Cllr Gerri Bird, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I welcome this successful prosecution and banning order – this outcome demonstrates the council’s commitment to protecting private renters and upholding housing standards in the private sector.
“Landlords who break the law will face serious consequences, whether through prosecution or banning orders. I hope this set’s an example to the small minority of landlords and property agents who fail to comply with the law and put their tenants at risk.
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure home and to be treated with dignity.”
