Tenant dies after illegal eviction – landlord fined, council seeks costs

A council has prosecuted a landlord for unlawfully evicting a vulnerable tenant who’d been hospitalised after a fall.

Grant Rigby of Ramsgate was convicted at a three day trial at Margate Magistrates’ Court. He was found guilty of committing an offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

The offence related to shared accommodation in Ramsgate.

Rigby was fined and ordered to pay a victim surcharge and prosecution costs totalling £5,106.

The tenant became aware that he’d been evicted from his home whilst staying in hospital. He contacted the council for help and was able to provide a witness statement.

An investigation by Thanet council concluded that the eviction was unlawful and the decision was made to prosecute. The tenant passed away in hospital shortly after the eviction and before the case went to court.

Rigby appealed the original conviction. However, Canterbury Crown Court upheld the conviction. Landlord Today