Cooper v Sharma [2004]

A tenant who was unlawfully evicted by her landlord, as he disconnected the utilities, changed the locks and threw her possessions onto the pavement outside, was awarded damages totalling £30,000.

An assured shorthold tenant was, from the beginning of her tenancy, subjected to a series of problems from her landlord. He interfered with her post, then disconnected her electricity. He later also disconnected the gas and hot water, and finally he cut off the cold water supply. The tenant obtained an injunction compelling him to reconnect the supplies, and it took him two weeks to do this.
Two months later, the landlord changed the locks on the property and threw the tenant’s belongings and those of her son out onto the pavement. The tenant obtained an injunction ordering him to readmit her to the property, but the landlord refused to comply and was committed for contempt. The tenant and her son slept on a friend’s floor until they were given temporary accommodation.
The tenant claimed damages. At the hearing, the tenant was debarred from defending due to non-compliance with court directions.

HELD:
The County Court ordered the landlord to pay general damages of £23,500, £4,000 in aggravated damages and a further £2,500 in exemplary damages. This totalled £30,000.