A married couple must pay £17,918 after a Lewisham council prosecution over the illegal eviction and harassment of a tenant. 

That includes £5,000 compensation to be paid to the tenant.

Mary Lewis was sentenced for illegally evicting the tenant, while Peter Lewis was sentenced for harassment intended to make the tenant give up his home.

A court heard that the tenant had rented a room in a house owned by Mary Lewis since 2017. 

In December 2023, he was told to leave. However, after he explained that the proper legal process had to be followed to end his tenancy, the locks to the property and his room were removed, he was threatened, and his belongings were left on the side of the road. 

Most of his possessions were stolen before he could collect them.

The tenant, who has a heart condition, became unwell during the incident and was taken to hospital, where he was admitted overnight.

The court was told that he had still not found permanent accommodation more than two years after the eviction.

The court ordered Mary Lewis to pay a £560 fine, £3,000 compensation to the tenant and £6,059 prosecution costs – a total of £9,619.

Peter Lewis must pay a £240 fine, £2,000 compensation to the tenant and £6,059 prosecution costs – a total of £8,299.

Both retain the right to appeal their convictions and sentences.

Lewisham council has launched a new Rogue Landlords Taskforce to investigate reports of illegal or unsafe practices by private landlords and can take enforcement action where there is enough evidence, including issuing financial penalties or prosecuting serious cases.