Oxford landlord who acted illegally must do unpaid community work

7:57pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News

A ROGUE landlord, who made a man homeless when she illegally evicted him, has been ordered to do unpaid community work.

Rukhsana Tariq admitted unlawfully evicting Hakeem Shittu from his room in Williamson Way, Oxford, in April last year.

The 38-year-old, of High Street, Sutton, pleaded guilty at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 17, and was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 8.

She was ordered to do 80 hours’ unpaid community work, pay £460 compensation to Mr Shittu and £1,162.50 in costs.

Ed Turner, Oxford City Council board member for the private rented sector, said: “The courts have sent out a strong message by tackling this rogue landlord.

“It is the council’s responsibility to help protect the vulnerable and we are working hard to make sure tenants in the private rented sector in Oxford are not being exploited.

“There is a clear legal process for landlords who want to evict their tenants and the courts have backed up our policy of taking tough enforcement action against those who illegally take tenants’ homes from them.”

In June 2012, Bayton Fundira was sentenced to three months in jail and ordered to pay £4,500 costs and compensation for illegally evicting a couple and their baby.

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Comments (21)

9:53pm Tue 19 Feb 13

zimmer, Wolvecote. says...

That is the pay off for selling all the council houses. One woman with a £million pound house in Sutton, evicts somebody from what should be a council house in Rose Hill. She should have been fined £thousands, that is the only way to sort out these landlords charging £16K + rent a year for council houses they picked up on the cheap.
That is the pay off for selling all the council houses. One woman with a £million pound house in Sutton, evicts somebody from what should be a council house in Rose Hill. She should have been fined £thousands, that is the only way to sort out these landlords charging £16K + rent a year for council houses they picked up on the cheap. zimmer, Wolvecote.

5:26am Wed 20 Feb 13

mandate says...

Greedy landlords make me sick to the teeth. People like the cretin in this story have been making big money by renting out cheaply purchased council houses at scandalously high prices. This racket should have been stopped years ago.
When will the appropiate authority take responsibilty and start really checking
up on rogue landlords. These people should be made to sell prices the propertiy that they no longer live in at reduced prices. THe notorious council house sell off wasn't intended to allow people to get rich and exploit others (or was it?).
Greedy landlords make me sick to the teeth. People like the cretin in this story have been making big money by renting out cheaply purchased council houses at scandalously high prices. This racket should have been stopped years ago. When will the appropiate authority take responsibilty and start really checking up on rogue landlords. These people should be made to sell prices the propertiy that they no longer live in at reduced prices. THe notorious council house sell off wasn't intended to allow people to get rich and exploit others (or was it?). mandate

6:50am Wed 20 Feb 13

Sandy Wimpole-Smythe says...

Ed Turner, Oxford City Council board member for the private rented sector, said: “The courts have sent out a strong message by tackling this rogue landlord.'

If community service and a fine to an already wealthy person is a 'strong message' then what exactly would he call a lenient sentence ?
Ed Turner, Oxford City Council board member for the private rented sector, said: “The courts have sent out a strong message by tackling this rogue landlord.' If community service and a fine to an already wealthy person is a 'strong message' then what exactly would he call a lenient sentence ? Sandy Wimpole-Smythe

7:28am Wed 20 Feb 13

Lord Palmerstone says...

Why was he evicted?
I don't know why all you socialists above are ranting. The Protection from Eviction Act is your bigoted legislation which Cameron daren't repeal and it has served the extreme left proudly these last 30 years and upwards.
Public housing was sold because for the state to own people's homes is authoritarian and undemocratic.
Why was he evicted? I don't know why all you socialists above are ranting. The Protection from Eviction Act is your bigoted legislation which Cameron daren't repeal and it has served the extreme left proudly these last 30 years and upwards. Public housing was sold because for the state to own people's homes is authoritarian and undemocratic. Lord Palmerstone

7:58am Wed 20 Feb 13

Sid Hunt says...

It would be interesting to read a balanced report on why this eviction actually happened. The law is heavily in the side of the tenant - even when they are not paying rent or are damaging the property.

As to the wealth of the landlord in this instance, where does it state they live in a £1m house? Do they even own the house they live in?
It would be interesting to read a balanced report on why this eviction actually happened. The law is heavily in the side of the tenant - even when they are not paying rent or are damaging the property. As to the wealth of the landlord in this instance, where does it state they live in a £1m house? Do they even own the house they live in? Sid Hunt

11:53am Wed 20 Feb 13

zimmer, Wolvecote. says...

Sid Hunt wrote:
It would be interesting to read a balanced report on why this eviction actually happened. The law is heavily in the side of the tenant - even when they are not paying rent or are damaging the property.

As to the wealth of the landlord in this instance, where does it state they live in a £1m house? Do they even own the house they live in?
On would assume so Sid, as the rent on the Rose Hill house, would come nowhere near the rent on her house, it would be financial suicide. And as the story said the eviction was illegal, and if she was in the right this case would not have come to trial. But what is does show is that all the council house sell off achieved was to make some people very rich, and create the council housing shortage we have now, along with a near annual Housing Benefit bill of £14 Billion. Now that is a lot of money going into the pockets of people like Ms Tariq.
[quote][p][bold]Sid Hunt[/bold] wrote: It would be interesting to read a balanced report on why this eviction actually happened. The law is heavily in the side of the tenant - even when they are not paying rent or are damaging the property. As to the wealth of the landlord in this instance, where does it state they live in a £1m house? Do they even own the house they live in?[/p][/quote]On would assume so Sid, as the rent on the Rose Hill house, would come nowhere near the rent on her house, it would be financial suicide. And as the story said the eviction was illegal, and if she was in the right this case would not have come to trial. But what is does show is that all the council house sell off achieved was to make some people very rich, and create the council housing shortage we have now, along with a near annual Housing Benefit bill of £14 Billion. Now that is a lot of money going into the pockets of people like Ms Tariq. zimmer, Wolvecote.

11:57am Wed 20 Feb 13

zimmer, Wolvecote. says...

Sid Hunt wrote:
It would be interesting to read a balanced report on why this eviction actually happened. The law is heavily in the side of the tenant - even when they are not paying rent or are damaging the property.

As to the wealth of the landlord in this instance, where does it state they live in a £1m house? Do they even own the house they live in?
On would assume so Sid, as the rent on the Rose Hill house, would come nowhere near the rent on her house, it would be financial suicide. And as the story said the eviction was illegal, and if she was in the right this case would not have come to trial. But what is does show is that all the council house sell off achieved was to make some people very rich, and create the council housing shortage we have now, along with a near annual Housing Benefit bill of £14 Billion. Now that is a lot of money going into the pockets of people like Ms Tariq.
[quote][p][bold]Sid Hunt[/bold] wrote: It would be interesting to read a balanced report on why this eviction actually happened. The law is heavily in the side of the tenant - even when they are not paying rent or are damaging the property. As to the wealth of the landlord in this instance, where does it state they live in a £1m house? Do they even own the house they live in?[/p][/quote]On would assume so Sid, as the rent on the Rose Hill house, would come nowhere near the rent on her house, it would be financial suicide. And as the story said the eviction was illegal, and if she was in the right this case would not have come to trial. But what is does show is that all the council house sell off achieved was to make some people very rich, and create the council housing shortage we have now, along with a near annual Housing Benefit bill of £14 Billion. Now that is a lot of money going into the pockets of people like Ms Tariq. zimmer, Wolvecote.

12:19pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Sid Hunt says...

The eviction was illegal but it would be far more informative if details of what instigated the eviction were known. How much rent does she pay on the Sutton house? Is it for the whole house or for a share? Is it, in fact, mortgaged /owned outright?

I know people who have to live elsewhere due to their jobs but rather than sell their homes they let them and rent alternative accommodation - rooms in a share. This makes them a landlord of their let property but doesn't make them greedy or millionaires.

Council houses were sold off as the state (local authorities) couldn't afford the maintenance bills. This didn't cause the housing shortage.
The eviction was illegal but it would be far more informative if details of what instigated the eviction were known. How much rent does she pay on the Sutton house? Is it for the whole house or for a share? Is it, in fact, mortgaged /owned outright? I know people who have to live elsewhere due to their jobs but rather than sell their homes they let them and rent alternative accommodation - rooms in a share. This makes them a landlord of their let property but doesn't make them greedy or millionaires. Council houses were sold off as the state (local authorities) couldn't afford the maintenance bills. This didn't cause the housing shortage. Sid Hunt

2:15pm Wed 20 Feb 13

zimmer, Wolvecote. says...

Sid Hunt wrote:
The eviction was illegal but it would be far more informative if details of what instigated the eviction were known. How much rent does she pay on the Sutton house? Is it for the whole house or for a share? Is it, in fact, mortgaged /owned outright?

I know people who have to live elsewhere due to their jobs but rather than sell their homes they let them and rent alternative accommodation - rooms in a share. This makes them a landlord of their let property but doesn't make them greedy or millionaires.

Council houses were sold off as the state (local authorities) couldn't afford the maintenance bills. This didn't cause the housing shortage.
Ok Sid. The Truth, she is related to a property owning acquaintance of mine from Cowley, they have over 30 properties, the tenant was evicted because he was disruptive, but did not break the terms of the tenancy enough for the law, but enough to make her want him out, (to let to an English family on benefits that she knew would be better tenants, and guaranteed rent) Her residence is her own, and she and her family have become very wealthy off the back of buying cheap, renting high. Hope that helps.
[quote][p][bold]Sid Hunt[/bold] wrote: The eviction was illegal but it would be far more informative if details of what instigated the eviction were known. How much rent does she pay on the Sutton house? Is it for the whole house or for a share? Is it, in fact, mortgaged /owned outright? I know people who have to live elsewhere due to their jobs but rather than sell their homes they let them and rent alternative accommodation - rooms in a share. This makes them a landlord of their let property but doesn't make them greedy or millionaires. Council houses were sold off as the state (local authorities) couldn't afford the maintenance bills. This didn't cause the housing shortage.[/p][/quote]Ok Sid. The Truth, she is related to a property owning acquaintance of mine from Cowley, they have over 30 properties, the tenant was evicted because he was disruptive, but did not break the terms of the tenancy enough for the law, but enough to make her want him out, (to let to an English family on benefits that she knew would be better tenants, and guaranteed rent) Her residence is her own, and she and her family have become very wealthy off the back of buying cheap, renting high. Hope that helps. zimmer, Wolvecote.

7:48pm Wed 20 Feb 13

moonlight shadow says...

obviously the sale of council housing, Thatcher's policy of course, has caused the housing crisis as the local authority was not obliged to reinvest the money from the sales back into new build council housing. Had this been done there would not be a gross shortage now.
Then in 1997 we had Blair's mob. third late tories who did nothing to redress the balance. Indeed they, in the main, followed tory policies for years after election.
So now people are forced to rent privately, at grossly inflated prices, and are vunerable to unscrupuless landlords.

What gets me is the government gives away £billions to overseas aid each year yet so many of our own people are homeless.
Redirect that aid money into a massive social housing programme and then, when that need is met, give money to overseas aid.
obviously the sale of council housing, Thatcher's policy of course, has caused the housing crisis as the local authority was not obliged to reinvest the money from the sales back into new build council housing. Had this been done there would not be a gross shortage now. Then in 1997 we had Blair's mob. third late tories who did nothing to redress the balance. Indeed they, in the main, followed tory policies for years after election. So now people are forced to rent privately, at grossly inflated prices, and are vunerable to unscrupuless landlords. What gets me is the government gives away £billions to overseas aid each year yet so many of our own people are homeless. Redirect that aid money into a massive social housing programme and then, when that need is met, give money to overseas aid. moonlight shadow

8:47pm Wed 20 Feb 13

Lord Palmerstone says...

moonlight shadow wrote:
obviously the sale of council housing, Thatcher's policy of course, has caused the housing crisis as the local authority was not obliged to reinvest the money from the sales back into new build council housing. Had this been done there would not be a gross shortage now.
Then in 1997 we had Blair's mob. third late tories who did nothing to redress the balance. Indeed they, in the main, followed tory policies for years after election.
So now people are forced to rent privately, at grossly inflated prices, and are vunerable to unscrupuless landlords.

What gets me is the government gives away £billions to overseas aid each year yet so many of our own people are homeless.
Redirect that aid money into a massive social housing programme and then, when that need is met, give money to overseas aid.
Of course we shouldn't give money to dictators to buy wives and Mercedes but Housing Benefit is there so people take it, like all non-contributory welfare. I don't blame them. But since it is unaffordable (the government is borrowing billions for said men to buy said Mercs and wives as it is) it all has to stop. My grandchildren should not have to repay the debts built up by welfarism and public housing; nor should yours.
[quote][p][bold]moonlight shadow[/bold] wrote: obviously the sale of council housing, Thatcher's policy of course, has caused the housing crisis as the local authority was not obliged to reinvest the money from the sales back into new build council housing. Had this been done there would not be a gross shortage now. Then in 1997 we had Blair's mob. third late tories who did nothing to redress the balance. Indeed they, in the main, followed tory policies for years after election. So now people are forced to rent privately, at grossly inflated prices, and are vunerable to unscrupuless landlords. What gets me is the government gives away £billions to overseas aid each year yet so many of our own people are homeless. Redirect that aid money into a massive social housing programme and then, when that need is met, give money to overseas aid.[/p][/quote]Of course we shouldn't give money to dictators to buy wives and Mercedes but Housing Benefit is there so people take it, like all non-contributory welfare. I don't blame them. But since it is unaffordable (the government is borrowing billions for said men to buy said Mercs and wives as it is) it all has to stop. My grandchildren should not have to repay the debts built up by welfarism and public housing; nor should yours. Lord Palmerstone

9:23pm Wed 20 Feb 13

moonlight shadow says...

I doubt our grandchildren will be repaying those debts. More likely their taxes will be used to pay the very expensive "fee" we pay to be members of the EU,and are then obliged to admit immigrants from said countries. (read the Lisdon treaty, more comming in 2014) overseas aid, presumably inflated by then, and fund our slavish following of the USA into it's incursions into various countries around the world. That does'nt come cheaply.

Of course they will only be contributing to all this if they are lucky enough to have a job and therefore pay taxes.
compared to the above the welfare and social housing debts will be minimal.
I doubt our grandchildren will be repaying those debts. More likely their taxes will be used to pay the very expensive "fee" we pay to be members of the EU,and are then obliged to admit immigrants from said countries. (read the Lisdon treaty, more comming in 2014) overseas aid, presumably inflated by then, and fund our slavish following of the USA into it's incursions into various countries around the world. That does'nt come cheaply. Of course they will only be contributing to all this if they are lucky enough to have a job and therefore pay taxes. compared to the above the welfare and social housing debts will be minimal. moonlight shadow

9:26pm Wed 20 Feb 13

moonlight shadow says...

sorry . should read Lisbon Treaty
sorry . should read Lisbon Treaty moonlight shadow

7:43am Thu 21 Feb 13

Lord Palmerstone says...

"compared to the above the welfare and social housing debts will be minimal."Sadly, they aren't, as you know. They are also different, because receipt of non contributory welfare destroys all human beings. It is , quite literally, toxic.
"compared to the above the welfare and social housing debts will be minimal."Sadly, they aren't, as you know. They are also different, because receipt of non contributory welfare destroys all human beings. It is , quite literally, toxic. Lord Palmerstone

11:13am Thu 21 Feb 13

Sid Hunt says...

zimmer, Wolvecote. wrote:
Sid Hunt wrote:
The eviction was illegal but it would be far more informative if details of what instigated the eviction were known. How much rent does she pay on the Sutton house? Is it for the whole house or for a share? Is it, in fact, mortgaged /owned outright?

I know people who have to live elsewhere due to their jobs but rather than sell their homes they let them and rent alternative accommodation - rooms in a share. This makes them a landlord of their let property but doesn't make them greedy or millionaires.

Council houses were sold off as the state (local authorities) couldn't afford the maintenance bills. This didn't cause the housing shortage.
Ok Sid. The Truth, she is related to a property owning acquaintance of mine from Cowley, they have over 30 properties, the tenant was evicted because he was disruptive, but did not break the terms of the tenancy enough for the law, but enough to make her want him out, (to let to an English family on benefits that she knew would be better tenants, and guaranteed rent) Her residence is her own, and she and her family have become very wealthy off the back of buying cheap, renting high. Hope that helps.
I'm not sure I understand your mentality - if you knew facts why post pseudo assumptions but your last line speaks volumes as to your deportment.
[quote][p][bold]zimmer, Wolvecote.[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Sid Hunt[/bold] wrote: The eviction was illegal but it would be far more informative if details of what instigated the eviction were known. How much rent does she pay on the Sutton house? Is it for the whole house or for a share? Is it, in fact, mortgaged /owned outright? I know people who have to live elsewhere due to their jobs but rather than sell their homes they let them and rent alternative accommodation - rooms in a share. This makes them a landlord of their let property but doesn't make them greedy or millionaires. Council houses were sold off as the state (local authorities) couldn't afford the maintenance bills. This didn't cause the housing shortage.[/p][/quote]Ok Sid. The Truth, she is related to a property owning acquaintance of mine from Cowley, they have over 30 properties, the tenant was evicted because he was disruptive, but did not break the terms of the tenancy enough for the law, but enough to make her want him out, (to let to an English family on benefits that she knew would be better tenants, and guaranteed rent) Her residence is her own, and she and her family have become very wealthy off the back of buying cheap, renting high. Hope that helps.[/p][/quote]I'm not sure I understand your mentality - if you knew facts why post pseudo assumptions but your last line speaks volumes as to your deportment. Sid Hunt

7:18am Sun 24 Feb 13

stevedom says...

What may be interesting is to know the real story and not just assume all landlords are crooks....i have personal experience costing me thousands of pounds to evict a well known criminal who made a career of not paying a nd being made to leave by bailiffs, everything was given to him free although the real victim was myself. Actually this has happened to me 5 times! The other tenants were also affected and all supported me.
What may be interesting is to know the real story and not just assume all landlords are crooks....i have personal experience costing me thousands of pounds to evict a well known criminal who made a career of not paying a nd being made to leave by bailiffs, everything was given to him free although the real victim was myself. Actually this has happened to me 5 times! The other tenants were also affected and all supported me. stevedom

7:22am Sun 24 Feb 13

stevedom says...

Are we allowed to speak freely or are we afraid of the politically correct mob who are not allowing free speech in this country anymore. ? I have experince of couples renting my apartment , being unable to pay and gaining benefit from having babies at a rate of one a year! This has happened three times in last five years and on each occasion the couple were not born in uk and were very recent immigrants. These are facts not a biased opinion in any way.
Are we allowed to speak freely or are we afraid of the politically correct mob who are not allowing free speech in this country anymore. ? I have experince of couples renting my apartment , being unable to pay and gaining benefit from having babies at a rate of one a year! This has happened three times in last five years and on each occasion the couple were not born in uk and were very recent immigrants. These are facts not a biased opinion in any way. stevedom

7:24am Sun 24 Feb 13

stevedom says...

we each pay over 800 pounds annually to support benefits - source bbc interview.
we each pay over 800 pounds annually to support benefits - source bbc interview. stevedom

7:06pm Tue 26 Feb 13

moonlight shadow says...

Of course you should be allowed to speak freely. Poliical correctness is something imposed by some in an attempt to silence the truth. I like to quote Voltaire (roughly translated as) " Sir, I do not agree with what you say but defend your right to say it"
Whilst I have no sympathy with rogue landlords I am sure there are some good ones who have big problems with rouge tenants. I would be extra careful in future and be seletive
Of course you should be allowed to speak freely. Poliical correctness is something imposed by some in an attempt to silence the truth. I like to quote Voltaire (roughly translated as) " Sir, I do not agree with what you say but defend your right to say it" Whilst I have no sympathy with rogue landlords I am sure there are some good ones who have big problems with rouge tenants. I would be extra careful in future and be seletive moonlight shadow

4:36am Wed 27 Feb 13

stevedom says...

the thing is dont get two different things mixed up. Is the woman landlord wrong to make money or wrong to evict the tenant illegally with the laws(obviously laws that need repealing) that are in place at present. In my opinion she is not wrong to make money in a competitive capitalist society, she should be paying the correct taxes and all the other bills associated with renting properties, also she will have the constant worry of how the tenant is treating her property and whether he could stop paying or sub-let, use the premises as business premises, or do something else against th contract. the most common wrongdoing is the tenant not paying the last month in lieu of the deposit, which is totally impossible to react against.
the thing is dont get two different things mixed up. Is the woman landlord wrong to make money or wrong to evict the tenant illegally with the laws(obviously laws that need repealing) that are in place at present. In my opinion she is not wrong to make money in a competitive capitalist society, she should be paying the correct taxes and all the other bills associated with renting properties, also she will have the constant worry of how the tenant is treating her property and whether he could stop paying or sub-let, use the premises as business premises, or do something else against th contract. the most common wrongdoing is the tenant not paying the last month in lieu of the deposit, which is totally impossible to react against. stevedom

11:27am Sun 10 Mar 13

stevedom says...

Council justify the new regulations on houses in multiple occupation please. Only one property in 300metres will be given permission / every property of three stories or more than one household must pay around 500 pounds for annual license / fireproofing and electric/gas/furnitu
re cerificates (often around 10,000 pounds!! , & landlord (owner of house) must be of good past accreditation. Those with amortgage must notify the mortgage company and as most do Not give mortgages to HMO's there lies the major problem. Many good landlords/hopuseowne
rs are being put in an impossible position and many tenants will be evicted looking for other accommodation where will this be? This council is one of a very few if not the only one in uk. to check every property in the county as if this were a huge problem, which it patently is not. How will this help small businesses and those requiring reasonably priced accommodation in this time when the council should be making things easier. I am now out of business and without a home or income thanks directly to this new law enforcement and threatening letters to fine me 20000 pounds. I will leave this country with no future except downward spiral...where everyone is forced to one lower level and only big business can survive, look at small businesses forced out by extraordinarily high local taxes , in Summertown.
Council justify the new regulations on houses in multiple occupation please. Only one property in 300metres will be given permission / every property of three stories or more than one household must pay around 500 pounds for annual license / fireproofing and electric/gas/furnitu re cerificates (often around 10,000 pounds!! , & landlord (owner of house) must be of good past accreditation. Those with amortgage must notify the mortgage company and as most do Not give mortgages to HMO's there lies the major problem. Many good landlords/hopuseowne rs are being put in an impossible position and many tenants will be evicted looking for other accommodation where will this be? This council is one of a very few if not the only one in uk. to check every property in the county as if this were a huge problem, which it patently is not. How will this help small businesses and those requiring reasonably priced accommodation in this time when the council should be making things easier. I am now out of business and without a home or income thanks directly to this new law enforcement and threatening letters to fine me 20000 pounds. I will leave this country with no future except downward spiral...where everyone is forced to one lower level and only big business can survive, look at small businesses forced out by extraordinarily high local taxes , in Summertown. stevedom

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