A LANDLORD has been ordered to pay £1,370 for illegally evicting a tenant from her property.

Susan Howson, of Parklands Way, Blackburn, admitted the charge after she changed the locks on the property in King's Road, Blackburn, whilst the tenant was out.

She was convicted under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Howson failed to follow the correct procedure under the legislation following several warnings, advice and a letter from Blackburn with Darwen Council.

She was fined £800 and ordered to pay £555 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Coun Tony Humphrys said: “Tenants have a right to feel secure in their homes.

“The council takes these cases extremely seriously and this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable.”