Barnet Landlord Ordered to Pay £6,500 for Tenant Harassment and Unlawful Eviction
A Barnet landlord has been fined £6,500 and ordered to reimburse tribunal fees after a property tribunal found her guilty of threatening a tenant, unlawfully attempting eviction, and violating data protection laws. The case, detailed in a hearing published on 4 February 2026, involved landlord Ms Sheila Carpel and a former tenant at Lister Court in Collingdale, with the tenancy running from 8 December 2023 to 7 May 2024.
Threats and Intimidation Captured on Video
Video evidence presented at the tribunal showed Ms Carpel threatening to throw the tenant out of the property. In one clip, the tenant explicitly told Ms Carpel not to touch her belongings, to which the landlord responded, "I can throw you out, I am absolutely going to throw you out." She then proceeded to place the tenant's personal items into black bin bags, repeating the threat during the act. The situation escalated to the point where the tenant had to call the police for intervention.
Poor Property Conditions and Unlawful Actions
The tenant reported multiple issues with the property upon moving in, including a leaking shower, a persistent stagnant smell of curry throughout the house, blood stains on the sofa, and inadequate cleaning. Instead of addressing these concerns, Ms Carpel responded by giving the tenant one month's notice to leave and threatening to increase the rent. The tribunal also found that the landlord conducted property inspections without providing the required notice, sometimes with no notice at all, causing significant distress and shock to the tenant.
Data Protection Violations and Health Impacts
Further evidence revealed that Ms Carpel contacted the tenant's employer and shared her personal information without consent, a breach backed by a letter from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) stating she failed to comply with data protection obligations. The tenant testified that the living situation became "so unbearable" that she was diagnosed with gastritis due to stress, and she continues to experience anxiety and fear as a result of the ordeal.
Tribunal Ruling and Penalties
The tribunal ruled that Ms Carpel committed an offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 by attempting to force the tenant out and infringing on her right to peace and comfort. As a result, she was ordered to pay a rent repayment order of £6,500 and reimburse the tenant for tribunal fees totaling £330. The tenant had applied for the rent repayment order after experiencing an unlawful eviction notice shortly after moving in. Ms Carpel has the right to appeal the decision within 28 days.
