Council gets first ever conviction against landlord for illegal eviction and harassment

St Albans Magistrates Court heard how Mr Olufemi Forseythe, a local landlord, harassed his tenant at a property in Hatfield, by repeatedly sending messages informing her that he would be moving into the premises without her consent, changing the locks to the premises without her consent, and threatening to call bailiffs to evict her without any legal basis on which to do so. Mr Forseythe also repeatedly sent her insulting and aggressive messages.

Mr Forseythe also refused to fix a defective boiler resulting in the council having to carry out works instead to reinstate heating and hot water. 

In mitigation, Mr Foresythe’s barrister argued that Mr. Foresythe lacked experience as a landlord as this was his first tenanted property.

Mr Forseythe was fined a total of £1,800 plus the council’s costs of £750 and costs to the victim of £720.

Councillor Gemma Moore, Executive Member, Housing, said:

“Our message to rogue landlords and agents is very clear: we will work tirelessly together with our partners to locate and crack down on unscrupulous landlords and managers who fail in their duty to support tenants, treat them with respect, and keep them safe.

“The Private Sector Housing Team have worked very hard to prepare and lead on this prosecution. I would like to join them in thanking our colleagues in Legal Services and Housing Needs, as well as Cornerstone Barristers, for bringing this case to our attention, and for their support in helping to achieve the first conviction of its kind for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.”