Tenant obtains £115,000 settlement from council over unlawful eviction

It said Harrow unlawfully ended tenant Mr Nagar’s tenancy and re-let his home, following a defective Notice to Quit served by his ex-wife.

Mr Nagar was a long-term secure tenant of Harrow, and had lived in the property for many years intending to resume occupation following a family court order.

But in December 2023 he discovered Harrow had re-let his home without warning - leaving him homeless and without access to his possessions.

Harrow claimed the tenancy had been lawfully terminated by a Notice to Quit signed by his ex-wife.

But Duncan Lewis said the notice - dated 17 October 2023 - purported to end the tenancy just six days later in breach of both the tenancy agreement and section 5 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, which requires a minimum of four weeks’ notice.

Solicitor Manjinder Kaur Atwal and trainee solicitor Lewis Zheng Ho acted for Mr Nagar and challenged the validity of the notice in High Court proceedings seeking £140,000. Sarah Steinhardt of Doughty Street Chambers acted as counsel.

Despite Harrow’s argument that the notice was effective from a later date, Duncan Lewis said the court found the statutory notice period begins on the date of service and cannot be overridden by later interpretation.

Following mediation, Harrow agreed to settle the claim for £115,000.

Manjinder Kaur Atwal said: “This case is a stark reminder that the four-week notice period is not optional. When councils or landlords fail to follow statutory protections, the consequences for tenants can be devastating — and costly for those responsible.

“We are pleased that Mr Nagar has finally received justice and significant compensation for the hardship he was put through.”

She said the case underscored the importance of properly scrutinising Notices to Quit.

Harrow declined to comment.

Mark Smulian