A property management company disconnected electricity supply for two privately rented flats in Hull. The Environmental Health Officer (EHO) was called to the property after the tenants made a complaint after several days without electricity. The tenants had no lighting, cooking facilities or hot water and heating.
[...]A property was occupied by four tenants. Three were Rent Act protected tenants and the fourth had acquired a freehold interest in his room by adverse possession.
At auction in 2003 a new landlord acquired the whole tenanted property by auction in 2003. Her uncle, who acted in all respects as the owner, with others forced entry to the property. They were all abusive and threatening and a few days later they broke in again and started removing the contents of the property, demolishing and smashing the fixtures and fittings. The extent of the damage was that all the occupants felt compelled to leave the property. They brought an action for harassment.
HELD:
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