A landlord is being prosecuted by a council for the alleged unlawful eviction of tenants from her privately-rented properties.

Sohila Tamiz, who manages properties in Athelstan Road and Hadlow Drive in Cliftonville, is accused of being in breach of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Tamiz appeared before Canterbury Crown Court in December 2020 and three other defendants, Adam McChesney, Pedram Tamiz and Kasem El Dharratt, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on dates in March and May this year in relation to the case.

All four defendants will now be tried at Canterbury Crown Court 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.

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

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 them to leave the property.

Thanet council says it 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.

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