A Cardiff landlord recently found herself in court for attempting to evict a tenant using WhatsApp. The incident took place at Nicole May’s property in Moorland Road, Splott, where her tenants were asked to leave the rented home without the proper legal procedures being followed. The tenants were left with no choice but to vacate the property after May and members of her family entered the house without permission, prompting an altercation that led to police involvement on May 28, 2024.
May had initially sent a WhatsApp message to the tenants, asking them to leave the property, but failed to serve the correct legal notice required for eviction. As a result, the tenants were left homeless, relying on the goodwill of family and friends for temporary accommodation and storage of their belongings. The unlawful eviction led to Cardiff Council taking legal action against May, who hails from Brooks Road, Old Trafford, Manchester.
During the court proceedings at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, May pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. She was subsequently fined £461 and ordered to pay costs of £300, along with a victim surcharge of £184. The tenants affected by the incident were left deeply troubled by the experience, highlighting the importance of tenants being aware of their rights and seeking assistance from the council when faced with such situations.
Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, councillor Lynda Thorne, emphasised the significance of prosecuting landlords who engage in unlawful practices to protect tenants’ rights and well-being. Thorne stated that this case serves as a strong message to unscrupulous landlords that the council will not hesitate to take legal action to safeguard tenants from unjust treatment.
This case underscores the importance of landlords following the correct legal procedures when evicting tenants to prevent situations where individuals are unfairly displaced from their homes. It also serves as a reminder for tenants to be aware of their rights and seek assistance from relevant authorities when faced with challenges related to their tenancy.
The incident involving May and her tenants highlights the vulnerability of renters and the need for proper legal protections to ensure fair treatment in the rental market. By holding landlords accountable for their actions, authorities can uphold the rights of tenants and prevent cases of unlawful evictions from causing distress and hardship to individuals and families.