The case was brought by Sheffield City Council.
Sheffield Magistrates Court heard how You Are Fired Limited committed a number of acts against the tenants of a property they had rented out, to which they pleaded guilty. These include:
- Repeatedly entering the house uninvited
- Repeatedly demanding that the tenants leave the property
- Changing the locks to prevent entry
- Interfering with the tenant’s belongings
- Physically preventing entry to the property
- Preventing the use of the living room by the tenants
After the guilty plea at Sheffield Magistrates Court last Wednesday (1 October), You Are Fired Limited will now have to pay £2,268 made up of a £960 fine, £1,000 costs and a £308 victim surcharge.
The Court heard from the Council’s prosecuting solicitor that this was a case of the landlord ‘trampling over the rights of the tenants’.
Sheffield City Council also took enforcement action about the condition of the property because of concerns about a lack of heating and hot water, fire safety and damp and mould.
This case highlights the Council’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Sheffield’s private tenants from bullying and criminal behaviour. The verdict not only delivers justice for the tenants involved but also serves as a powerful deterrent to landlords who may seek to disregard their legal obligations.
In passing sentence the court’s calculation of the level of fine took into account the income of the company.
“The right to live in your home without the fear of being made to leave illegally is a basic human right, and we do all we can to ensure private tenants are protected from bullying behaviour and illegal eviction.
“This prosecution sends a clear message: the welfare and safety of tenants remain our priority, and we will stand ready to take action against those who break the law. This also supports the majority of law-abiding landlords in the city.”
Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee
The Private Housing Standards team at Sheffield City Council investigates more than 600 disrepair complaints and advises over 900 tenants about their tenancy rights on average each year, and regulates House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) standards for over 2,000 properties throughout Sheffield.
Where landlords are found to have committed serious or persistent breaches, prosecutions or financial penalties of up to £30,000 can be pursued for offences.
“We encourage all landlords to inform themselves about their responsibilities and to uphold the highest standards for the benefit of their tenants and the wider community.”
Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee
For more information about tenants’ rights, landlord obligations, and the Council’s work on housing standards, head to the Sheffield City Council website.
