A Cardiff landlord, who attempted to evict her tenant using WhatsApp, has been prosecuted for unlawful eviction.

At Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, Cardiff Council successfully prosecuted Nicole May, of Brooks Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, and she was ordered to pay £945, after pleading guilty to the charge of illegal eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

On 14 February, the court heard how the tenants of Ms May’s property on Moorland Rd, Splott were forced to leave their rented home on 28 May 2024 after the landlord and members of her family entered the house without permission, demanding they vacate.

Just a few weeks earlier, Ms May had sent a WhatsApp message to the tenants asking them to leave the property, but failed to serve the correct legal notice.

Following an altercation at the house which was attended by police during the incident on May 28, the tenants left the property and were forced to rely on family and friends for a place to stay, and to store their possessions.

Ms May was fined £461, ordered to pay costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £184.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “The tenants involved in this case have been left very troubled by the whole experience but we hope that by highlighting situations like this, other tenants will be aware of their rights and the importance of seeking assistance from the Council.

“This prosecution sends a strong message to unscrupulous landlords that the Council is not afraid to take legal action to safeguard tenants and their wellbeing.” (Landlord Today, but headline rejigged)