Cornwall Landlord Fined After Harassing Tenant to Leave

A landlord from St Breward has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting four offences linked to harassing a tenant in an attempt to force her out of her home.

Nicholas Rawlings, 53, of St Breward, Cornwall, PL30 4LN, appeared before Bodmin Magistrates’ Court last week.

The court heard that Rawlings committed the offences between December 2024 and May 2025. The actions interfered with the tenant’s peace and comfort and were intended, or reasonably believed, to pressure her into giving up occupation of the property.

Letters and eviction threats

Magistrates were told that Rawlings wrote to the tenant in December 2024 claiming he would be moving back into the property. However, no valid Section 21 notice had been served.

He then sent a further letter in January 2025 stating that a new tenant would be moving in at the start of March that year.

These communications caused the tenant significant distress, prompting her to seek help from Cornwall Council.

Council investigation

The court also heard that Rawlings copied the tenant into emails challenging formal tenancy advice given by the council’s Tenancy Relations Officer. This behaviour was considered likely to discourage the tenant from exercising her legal rights.

In addition, Rawlings issued an invalid Section 21 eviction notice during the tenancy, adding further unlawful pressure for the tenant to leave her home.

After pleading guilty, Rawlings was fined £500 for each offence, totalling £2,000. He was also ordered to pay an £800 victim surcharge and £4,183.20 in prosecution costs, bringing the total amount to £6,983.20.

Council response

Speaking after the hearing, Stuart Kenney, Cornwall Council’s Group Leader for Private Sector Housing and Licensing Compliance, said:

“This case underlines our firm commitment to protecting tenants from harassment and unlawful pressure to leave their homes.

“The landlord’s behaviour involved in this case was deeply inappropriate, deliberate and sustained, and the conduct had a significant impact on the health of the tenant and her children.

“Landlords cannot invent their own eviction processes or use threats, misinformation or financial pressure to force tenants out. Cornwall Council will investigate and seek to take a strong enforcement approach when these offences occur.”

Councillor Peter La Broy, the council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, added:

“The landlords’ behaviour in this case shows how damaging unlawful pressure can be for tenants, and why strong safeguards and clear legal standards are essential.

“I fully support the work of Cornwall Council’s Private Sector Housing Team, whose careful investigations and firm enforcement action play a vital role in protecting residents and holding rogue landlords to account.

“The new Renters’ Rights Act 2025 strengthens these protections further. From 1st May 2026, ‘no fault’ Section 21 evictions will end, giving tenants far greater security and ensuring they cannot be forced out of their homes without a valid legal reason.

“The Act also introduces a modernised tenancy system, replacing fixed term contracts with rolling periodic tenancies and limiting rent increases to once a year, alongside new rights for tenants to challenge unfair or above market rises intended to drive them out.

“These reforms make it much harder for rogue landlords to misuse their position, and Cornwall Council will continue to take robust action wherever tenants are treated unfairly.”