Two landlords in Wolverhampton have been handed suspended prison sentences following an unlawful eviction that left a vulnerable tenant without proper support. The case highlights the importance of adhering to tenant rights and the legal obligations of landlords.
Housing firm directors guilty of multiple breaches
The case involved Phoenix Supported Housing CIC, along with its former managing director, Kimberley Bethell, and director Davinder Singh Chall, who pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful deprivation of occupation and failing to uphold professional diligence.
The offences occurred when a tenant, who had been promised support as part of their tenancy, fell into debt after months of neglect by the company. According to City of Wolverhampton Council, the tenant was left without any support options for seven months. This failure to meet their obligations, combined with missing tenancy documentation and breaches of legal rights, led to the tenant being unlawfully evicted.
In response, the landlords gave the tenant 14 days to vacate the flat, threatening to dispose of any possessions left behind.
Court sentences reflect seriousness of violations
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, both Bethell and Chall were sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Bethell was further ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work, while Chall must undertake 25 rehabilitation days.
In addition to the personal sentences, the company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £15,000 towards the council’s legal costs. Both landlords were also instructed to pay the tenant £1,500 each within 12 months.
Council vows to crack down on illegal practices
Cllr Steve Evans, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for city housing, condemned the landlords’ actions as “shameful.” He emphasised the council’s commitment to protecting tenants and taking robust action against landlords who flout the law.
“We will not tolerate landlords misleading tenants in this way and will use our powers to investigate and take action,” he said. “This includes engaging locksmiths to reinstate illegally evicted tenants, using court injunctions to prevent future illegal evictions, and carrying out investigations with a view to prosecution.”
