A Walthamstow family has been awarded more than £5,000 in compensation after their landlord cut the power to their home and changed the locks whilst they were away.
The Government property tribunal ordered landlord Gloria Nolte to pay £5,055 following a hearing on December 23.
The ruling came after tenants Anita and Yazmin Summan were unlawfully evicted from their two-bedroom property on Sturge Avenue when locks were changed between March 31 and April 10 last year during their absence.
The tenants alleged they faced verbal abuse from Nolte and her spouse during disputes over missed rent payments.
Sturge Avenue
GOOGLE STREET VIEW
They reported multiple issues with the property, including mice infestation, persistent boiler noise and electricity supply problems.
Since moving in to the Sturge Avenue address on April 24, 2021, the Summans had accumulated over £17,000 in rental arrears.
The tribunal also heard that the property lacked proper licensing, leading tenant Anita Summan to seek reimbursement of the entire £16,850 she had paid in rent.
She separately claimed that harassment and health issues had prevented her from making rent payments.
Under cross-examination, Anita Summan revealed that she had reported issues like loose sockets within days of moving in.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:She described a confrontation with the landlord's husband who allegedly demanded she leave the property.
Anita Summan claimed she endured "horrible verbal abuse" from a neighbour, who she believed was acting on the landlord's instructions.
Following this harassment, she admitted withholding rent to save for alternative accommodation, but ended up losing her belongings during the illegal eviction.
Her daughter Yazmin also testified about her own health struggles, including surgery to remove a cyst, which left her unable to work or pay rent.
In November 2023, Anita Summan stopped working and relied on family and friends for support, having not received Universal Credit.
The landlord and her representatives strongly contested the allegations, insisting the financial penalty "should be zero".
Nolte's brother highlighted their significant financial strain, explaining she had been forced to use credit cards to cover mortgage payments due to the unpaid rent.
The landlord was also maintaining another property in Clacton, Essex, while struggling with the financial impact of the tenants' arrears.
Judge Shepherd concluded that Anita Summan should receive a 30 per cent refund of the £16,850 rent paid.
The tribunal acknowledged evidence of an "illegal eviction" but balanced this against the tenants' substantial arrears.
"Neither side behaved properly in this case," the tribunal stated, noting the landlord's actions were "probably borne out of desperation."
The ruling added: "The tenant was living at the premises rent-free. This cannot be justified. A tenancy is a contract that both sides are expected to comply with."
The final award of £5,055 did not include additional amounts for application and hearing fees.
