Sub-letting: Council wins landmark case against landl...

A landlord has been prosecuted for both illegal sub-letting and illegal eviction at the same time - an occurrence which is thought never to have happened before.

The man, from Sheffield, has been prosecuted by Sheffield City Council after illegally sub-letting his council home and then evicting the tenant using force.

Rami Nazzal, 35, pleaded guilty at a hearing at Sheffield Magistrates Court last week.

He rented the home for six months before forcing his tenant out following an argument.

The 'rogue landlord' was fined £1,923 - including £250 compensation paid to the tenant - and a victim surcharge of £15.

“He told me it was his own property. He lied to me. I didn’t know he was a council tenant," said the victim, Ata Allah Alalawi, who moved to Sheffield to study.

When Alalawi told Nazzal he wanted to move out, the landlord started asking for extra rent and began to throw the tenant's possessions around.

Alalawi claims Nazzal grabbed him and forced him out of the property, threatening to withold his possessions if he called the police.

Sheffield City Council’s housing team is now undertaking legal proceedings to evict Nazzal from his council home.

Councillor Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for housing at Sheffield City Council, said: “This person was breaking the law on two accounts – by illegally sub-letting his rented home and by forcing an eviction. This has been recognised by the courts and I hope it sends a strong message that rogue landlords will not be tolerated.”

“We want people to be able to live in good, safe housing, where their rights are respected."

“Thankfully most letting agents and landlords in Sheffield are very good. But we will take firm action on the minority that are not,” she added.