![\"Sheffield](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Sheffield-Magistrates-Court.png\")
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court(Image: Google maps)<\/p>\nThe landlord has now been finedSheffield Magistrates’ Court(Image: Google maps)<\/p>\n
A landlord has been fined more than \u00a32,000 after changing the locks to a property and blocking tenants from entering.<\/p>\n
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court<\/a> were told You Are Fired Limited had repeatedly entered a house they had rented out uninvited. They also repeatedly demanded the tenants leave the property, changed the locks to prevent entry, interfered with the tenant’s belongings, physically prevented entry to the property, and prevented the use of the living room by the tenants.<\/p>\n The case was brought by Sheffield City Council<\/a>, with You Are Fire Limited entering a guilty plea<\/a> on Wednesday, October 1. The council’s prosecuting solicitor said this was a case of the landlord “trampling over the rights of the tenants.<\/p>\n Now, the landlord has been fined \u00a32,268, made up of a \u00a3960 fine, \u00a31,000 in costs, and a \u00a3308 victim surcharge. The council also took action due to the condition of the property, as it lacked heating and hot water, in addition to having fire safety issues and problems with damp and mould.<\/p>\n Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, said: “The right to live in your home without the fear of being made to leave illegally is a basic human right, and we do all we can to ensure private tenants are protected from bullying behaviour and illegal eviction.<\/p>\n “This prosecution sends a clear message: the welfare and safety of tenants remain our priority, and we will stand ready to take action against those who break the law. This also supports the majority of law-abiding landlords in the city.”<\/p>\n When passing sentence on You Are Fired Limited, the court took into account the income of the company.<\/p>\n Landlords who are found to have committed serious or persistent breaches, they can be prosecuted with fines of up to \u00a330,000.<\/p>\n Coun Johnson added: “We encourage all landlords to inform themselves about their responsibilities and to uphold the highest standards for the benefit of their tenants and the wider community.”<\/p>\n