The May edition of Legal Action’s housing updates contains a report on Khan v Iqbal, Bury County Court, 13 March 2009.
Ms Khan was an assured shorthold tenant on rent of £650 pm. She lived with her children aged 15 and 12 She got into rent arrears.
The landlord and his sons interrupted the electricity supply and turned off the central heating. They cut telephone line. The landlord attended the property and verbally abused Ms Khan.
On 10 May 2008, one of the landlord’s sons entered the property and began removing the tenant’s belongings. The police were called and in their ever helpful way with unlawful evictions, assured Ms Khan that she could return to collect her belongings and gave her the number for a refuge. The family was put in a B&B as emergency temporary accommodation by the Council. Ms Khan returned the next day to find the locks changed and most of her possessions missing or damaged.
Awarded – Harassment £2000 (Joint and several liability for landlord and sons)
Unlawful eviction £10,200 (at £100 per night)
Aggravated damages of £200
Exemplary damages of £3000
Special damages of £2338.32
If any one from Bury Law Centre, or Angela Piears, barrister, are reading this, I would be very interested to know how the exemplary damages were caclulated. Drop me a line…