Unlawful Eviction. If the landlord tries physically or by force to remove a tenant from the property without the Tribunal’s permission, the landlord is committing a crime. If the landlord physically removes the tenant from the property, or threatens to do so, or if the landlord changes the locks, the tenant should report the matter to the police. (The non-emergency number to contact the police is 101.) For an eviction to be lawful (so allowed by law), after the Landlord obtains the eviction order from the Tribunal, the eviction (or removal of the tenant from the property) must be done by Sheriff Officers, not by the landlord or by the landlord's employees or agents. The law protects the tenant against harassment and unlawful eviction in two ways: • by making harassment and unlawful eviction crimes; and • by allowing the tenant to claim damages (ask for money) through the courts. The law against harassment applies if the landlord personally harasses or evicts the tenant unlawfully or if somebody else does it for the landlord.
Unlawful Eviction. The owner or lessor who evicts the tenant or lessee otherwise than as allowed by subsection 13.1.3 or 15.1.4 shall be liable for a fine equivalent to three months rent. The person evicted shall be reinstated with possession of the rental unit or the leased land with compensation equivalent to two months rent.
