News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the December 2000 / January 2001 issue RPI news archive

Compensation not small beer - December 2000 / January 2001

A tenant who moved into a flat above a pub and then took her landlord to court for harassment has been paid £30,000.

John McGowen, a successful publican and landlord, was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine and £7,300 in court costs after being found guilty on nine counts of harassment.

Tenant Ann Harris told Brent Magistrates Court that McGowan had carried out repair and improvement work at unreasonable hours, had moved stairways without permission and advertised loud music in the pub, also without appropriate planning permission.

The court also heard how McGowan pursued further licences for the pub knowing this would result in Harris having to leave her property. But an allegation that McGowan had intentionally harassed his tenant in a bid Compensation not small beer to have her leave the property was dismissed.

The payment of £30,000 was as a result of an agreement between both parties.

McGowan said: 'I find this unfair. Both the tenant and myself got along fine and this whole matter has been blown up out of all proportion'.
 

other artilces from the December 2000 / January 2001 issue

• Increasing costs
• Call for crisis talks on benefit delays
• Compensation not small beer
• Action taken on allocation and Ads
• CIEH campaigns for HMO licensing move
• Landlord sent for sentencing
• In brief
• Stamp duty waiver
• Repairs countdown