A landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence after trying to illegally evict a mother of two from a property in Stone.
Janice Pope sent repeated threatening messages, texts and calls to the tenant, who had complained to Stafford Borough Council about conditions at the semi-detached house in the Walton area.
Magistrates in Cannock heard the issues included damp and mould, a faulty boiler and inadequate ventilation.
Lucy Taylor-Grime, prosecuting for the borough council, said the nine-month period of behaviour began after the council became involved because of the poor state of the property.
She said
“There were unlawful demands for increased rent, threats to attend the property and threats to cause harm. There appears to be no justification for these actions other than to avoid compliance with the statutory obligations of a landlord.
“The tenant was left in a position of fear and intimidation by the defendant when there was no need to be.”
The court heard Pope, of Higher Contour Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth, sent abusive messages, threatened that bailiffs were coming and said the rent was being increased by around 25%.
On one day she tried to contact the tenant 35 times. On another day she made 21 calls.
Magistrates were told the former tenant was “terrified” to give evidence in court.
Pope admitted pursuing a course of action in an attempt to illegally evict a tenant by sending multiple messages, making multiple telephone calls demanding that the tenant leave the property, demanding money that was not owed, and failing to complete remedial work.
The actions, which started in January 2024, were contrary to the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
She was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £754 in costs. She must also complete 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
At a hearing last year, Pope was ordered to pay nearly £3,500 after ignoring legal action to improve the house.
Stafford Borough Council helped to rehome the mother and her two teenage daughters.
Councillor Ian Fordham, cabinet member for environment, said people should be able to live in decent conditions without fear of intimidation from their landlord.
He said
“We work closely with landlords, offering plenty of advice and support to ensure their tenants, who are our residents, have a home that is safe to live in, and it is reassuring to know that the vast majority of our landlords take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to providing this.
“I would encourage any tenant who is worried about the state of their property, and unable to get their landlord to do the repairs, to contact us.”
The council says there are thousands of properties in the private rented sector in Stafford Borough.
Landlords and tenants can find more information about their rights and duties on Stafford Borough Council’s website. https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/main-duties-of-landlords-and-tenants
