Coventry City Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord for illegally evicting his tenants.
Mr Wajid Hussain, a Landlord of a property in Holbrooks, Coventry changed the locks to the property on the 2 September 2023, whilst his tenants were on holiday without obtaining a possession order.
An investigation by the Council’s Landlord and Tenant Liaison Officer discovered evidence that Mr Hussain had been in receipt of rent from the tenant less than a week before he changed the locks unlawfully. Although Mr Hussain stated he believed the tenants no longer lived at the property he admitted in interview that he had received the money from the tenants and that the tenants still had belongings in the property.
On the 30 October 2025 at Coventry Magistrates Court the offence of illegal eviction, as per the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, was proven before a district judge with both the Council Officer and tenants giving evidence.
Mr Hussain was ordered to pay £3991.66, including the Council’s costs.
Illegal eviction offences are locally and nationally under reported with victims often being vulnerable, so prosecutions are rare. The Landlord and Tenant Liaison Officer who led the investigation has praised the bravery and fortitude of the tenants who acted as witnesses through the investigation and trial.
Adrian Chowns, Head of Safer Housing and Communities, said: "This case emphasises the critical importance for landlords to adhere rigorously to proper procedures when managing tenant relations.
“The recently introduced Renters Rights Act further strengthens tenant protections, making compliance even more imperative and I hope this serves as a clear reminder to the minority of landlords that the Council is steadfast in its commitment to supporting tenants and where appropriate is prepared to take decisive action to protect residents from unlawful eviction and harassment, providing tenants with the security they rightly deserve."
Anyone who feels that they may be being illegally evicted or harassed by their landlord can contact the Housing Enforcement team