Council pursues prosecution for unlawful evictions 

Mrs Sohila Tamiz who is a manager of privately rented properties in Athelstan Road and Hadlow Drive, Margate is being prosecuted by Thanet District Council for the alleged unlawful eviction of tenants in breach of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

The Council is calling on any witnesses to come forward and contact them.

The Defendant appeared before Canterbury Crown Court on 15 December 2020. Three other defendants, Adam McChesney, Pedram Tamiz and Kasem El Dharratt,  appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on 31 March 2021, 17 and 19 May 2021 respectively in relation to the same and other cases at the property. These cases have been sent to Canterbury Crown Court to be joined with the main proceedings. The Crown Court case now has four defendants who will be tried in regards to allegations of unlawful evictions and harassment associated with the management of properties in Athelstan Road, Margate. It is understood that the defendants deny these allegations. 

Under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, tenants are protected from both unlawful evictions and harassment. It is unlawful for a landlord or other person to deprive a tenant of their property without following the correct legal process which requires an order from the Court before a tenant is removed, even where there are arrears of rent. It is also an offence for any person to do any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of the tenant or their household with the intent to cause the tenant to leave the property. 

The council will investigate alleged offences and prosecute those who may be responsible for unlawful eviction when in the public interest. A person convicted of such an offence is liable to a fine and/or imprisonment of up to two years.

We are asking anyone who may have information or has experienced harassment or believes they have been evicted from their property unlawfully to contact us by email at housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk or by phone on 01843 577437.