A landlord threatened to throw a Taiwanese student’s possessions “out in the street” as she illegally evicted her.

Alexandria Kenna, of Oakwood Hill, Loughton, was ordered to pay £850 after forcing the tenant out of her home in December 2015.

The student moved in to a room in the house during October, signing a six month contract at a rate of £475 per month, including all utilities.

Kenna demanded a rent increase of £50 towards the electricity bill but the student refused, having already signed the six month agreement.

The landlord told her she had to leave that day, threatening to throw her possessions in the street, taking away her keys and shouting at her.

At one point, Kenna locked the door and refused to let the tenant leave, or anyone else in, until she had cleared her room and moved her belongings downstairs.

According to an Epping Forest District Council report, which will highlight the case at a meeting next Tuesday (July 26), the tenant was in a “desperate situation”.

The student had no family in the country to help her and no money for alternative accommodation, with Kenna refusing to return her deposit or rent that she had paid up until December 16.

Magistrates concluded it had been “a thoroughly unpleasant incident for the tenant who would have it found highly intimidating and frightening”.

Kenna’s claim for additional money for electricity was found to be unreasonable.

She was fined £275, ordered to pay £447.50, a victim surcharge of £28 and an extra £100 to the tenant for her distress.

Councillor Richard Bassett said the case “sends an important message to landlords that the correct procedures must be followed when ending tenancies.

“The fines, the costs and the implications of a criminal record for the landlord provide a strong deterrent for this type of behaviour.”