Barnet landlord fined £20,000 and given suspended prison sentence for illegal eviction

A landlord in the London Borough of Barnet was fined £20,000 and given a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of illegally evicting a tenant and demanding additional rent payments outside the agreed terms.

The case resulted in a criminal conviction. The landlord now has a criminal record, which can affect future licensing applications, mortgage approvals, and professional standing.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence

Many landlords do not fully appreciate that illegal eviction, which includes changing locks, removing belongings, or harassing a tenant into leaving, is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. It is not merely a civil dispute.

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, local councils can now impose civil penalties for illegal evictions without needing to go through the criminal courts. This makes enforcement faster and more likely.

The only lawful route to possession

Since 1 May 2026, the only lawful way to end a tenancy is through the reformed Section 8 process using specific possession grounds. There are no shortcuts. Landlords who attempt to bypass the legal process face criminal prosecution, civil penalties, and rent repayment orders.

If you need to regain possession of a property, always seek legal advice and follow the correct procedure. The cost of doing it properly is a fraction of the cost of doing it wrong.