Landlords given prison sentences over eviction

Two people have been given prison sentences after illegally evicting a tenant described by the local authority as vulnerable.

Phoenix Supported Housing CIC, plus former managing director Kimberley Bethell and director Davinder Singh Chall each pleaded guilty to unlawful deprivation of occupation and engaging in a commercial practice which contravened the requirements of professional diligence.

City of Wolverhampton Council said the eviction happened after a tenant who was promised help by the pair fell into debt.

Bethell and Chall were both sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday 14 December.

Tenants of the housing company were meant to receive a variety of support options as part of their tenancy, but none were made available to the individual for seven months, the authority said.

It added that a series of failures, including not issuing tenancy documentation, and breaching legal rights, led the tenant to fall into debt.

"They were then given 14 days to leave the flat, with the threat that any possessions left behind would be disposed of," the council said.

Bethell was also ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work, while Chall was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation days.

They were also ordered to pay the tenant £1,500 each within 12 months.

In addition, the company was fined £10,000 and must pay £15,000 towards the council's legal costs.

Councillor Steve Evans, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for city housing, said the landlords' actions were "shameful".

"We will not tolerate landlords misleading tenants in this way and will use our powers to investigate and take action, which can include engaging locksmiths to reinstate illegally evicted tenants, using court injunctions to prevent future attempts at illegal evictions and carrying out investigations with a view to prosecution," he said.

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