A ROGUE landlord couple illegally kicked a tenant out of their home in Bellingham, leaving him homeless for more than two years.
Mary and Peter Lewis, of Beckenham, were ordered to pay almost £18,000 in fines, compensation and costs after Lewisham Council launched legal action against them.
The tenant, who the Lewisham Letter has decided not to name, is due to receive £5,000 in compensation from them.
The victim had rented a room in a house owned by Mary Lewis, since 2017 but in December 2023 he was told to leave.
The tenant argued that the couple needed to follow proper legal process but Peter Lewis changed the locks on the property and removed the tenant’s belongings, leaving them on the side of the road.
Most of the tenant’s possessions were stolen before he could collect them. The victim, who has a heart condition, fell ill during the ordeal and was admitted to hospital.
Bromley Magistrates Court heard on August 11 how the tenant had still not found permanent accommodation more than two years after his eviction.
Natalie Thomas, Lewisham Council’s cabinet member for safer homes, homelessness and housing services, said: “No tenant should be forced from their home through intimidation or by a landlord taking the law into their own hands.
“This prosecution shows that we will take action to protect tenants and hold unscrupulous landlords to account.
“We hope the compensation ordered by the court helps the tenant as he continues to recover from this distressing experience.”
Mary Lewis was told to pay a £560 fine, £3,000 compensation and £6,059 in legal costs – a total of £9,619.
Meanwhile, Peter Lewis was slapped with a £240 fine, £2,000 in compensation and £6,059 prosecution costs, totalling £8,299.
The result comes as Lewisham Council launches a new rogue landlords taskforce to investigate reports of illegal and unsafe practices by private landlords.
Residents who think their landlord is breaking the law can report them here: lewisham.gov.uk/rogue-landlords.