A council says it’s working with police to target landlords which it claims are flouting the law and illegally eviction and harassing tenants.

A statement from Mendip council lacks any specific example of this, nor does it give any numbers of alleged wrongdoings to back up its claim. 

However, the council claims to be “working with colleagues in Avon and Somerset Police … to protect those tenants who feel hassled or threatened in their chosen homes.”

It says offences committed by landlords and agents include unlawful eviction or harassment; using or threatening violence to gain entry into a premises; non-compliance with fire safety regulations, improvement notices “and a range of other regulations.”

The council statement boasts that this is “tough talk” from the authority in a drive to improve standards across the private rented sector. 

Councillor Richard Pinnock, who has the title of Portfolio Holder for Housing Services and Governance, says: “Whilst the vast majority of landlords are perfectly fine and fair, we know some tenants feel frightened and threatened. That cannot be right, and this council will not tolerate such behaviour.

“Harassment and Illegal evictions are criminal offences. We have the powers to prosecute, and we will take action if needed.”