False imprisonment URGENT

sassy_one

Please see my recent thread -

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6225914/major-problem/p3


Just had word from family, that this couple have been locked in the flat, landlord has put high strength glue around door opening and also jammed lock up (uPVC door and frame)

Police have been contacted, in order to forcibly gain entry and free them as they are jammed inside the address.


Please, any advice now regards this will be great
I've told them to make formal complaint of false imprisonment. 

greatcrested

Well obviously. But I doubt the police will need to be told this - it will be obvious!

Given the history, this is probably also harassment with intent to evict.

Illegal eviction contrary to S1 (3)  of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 (

Make sure the police take note of that and follow up:

(3)If any person with intent to cause the residential occupier of any premises—

(a)to give up the occupation of the premises or any part thereof; or

(b)to refrain from exercising any right or pursuing any remedy in respect of the premises or part thereof;

does acts calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupier or members of his household, or persistently withdraws or withholds services reasonably required for the occupation of the premises as a residence, he shall be guilty of an offence.

I would also urgently call the council's Private Tenancy Officer (if they still have one) and Trading Standards as I believe they have prime responsibility for enforcement.

[Deleted User]

landlord cannot possibly get away with this. Tell them to pester the police to get released and complain of false imprisonment ! Lots of photos to be taken of door, glue, CCTV of area etc. 

Absolutely outrageous behaviour by a Landlord. 

They should also call SHELTER for advice. 

[Deleted User]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6226078/landlord-jailed#latest

Also this thread just put up appears similar to your friends situation  ! 

greatcrested

Is this Wales did I read? (that's the trouble with splitting questions between multiple threads. Best to keep all the information in one place.....)

If Wales, contact Rent Smart Wales (as already advised).

BrownTrout

please keep us updated, i hope the police do their job on this one.

[Deleted User]

Is this the same couple you were asking tenancy advice for earlier this year and have had the police called on them 40 times? Do they ever take the advice you pass on from here? Do they have a social worker or some support worker who can help them? 

sassy_one

Will keep you all updated.
They've been freed.

The Police are returning tonight to collect witness statements as someone else was at the address with them when this has happened so they want a statement from them too for false imprisonment 


RentSmart Wales have also been informed and advised as they have now received a threat to life / serious risk to life given background they have informed Police too and contacted emergency officers from local authority.

I will keep you all posted, they are terrfiled and were in tears on the phone!

greatcrested

Sounds positive, and hopefuly this scumbag will get his come-uppance.

I rarely go quite that far in criticizing landlords but in this case......!!!

Actually he sounds like not just a scumbag, but a rather stupid one. Accidentally or even deliberately breaching one or more tenancy requiremets is one thing, but then to take actions guaranteed to bring it to the attention of authorities is just plain dumb!

sassy_one

Update-

The Police have yet to attend to collect statements.

They've actually not allocated the offence to any investigation officer.
Can't say I'm surprised but that's not for this board that debate.

The Landlord contacted the tenant the following morning after Police were called and that the tenants had to be freed by forcibly gaining entry to the property.
Turns out someone had stuck some type of object, crowbar? In between the frame of the upvc door and door, bending the frame and lock, in some attempt to gain access to the address.
Glue was also all dripped and dried and under the door inner seal.

The landlord contacted the tenant next day after weeks of ignoring the tenants, just saying hope you have a good Christmas. Seems absolutely strange behaviour.


Basically this guy is going to try something again, its obvious.

Is there any template letter or can come write a few lines for a warning that they could stick on the front door warning the landlord that any attempt to gain entry to the address will be a criminal offence?

Will continue to update you all, hopefully action will be taken against him maybe its just slow as its days before Christmas. 


Thank you for all your advice and support 

anselld

"Someone"?   I thought you said there were witnesses who saw the Landlord doing this?  How did they not see who it was if they were stuck in the house at the time?