Man who illegally sub-let Sheffield council home prosecuted

On May 17, Rami Nazzal, 35, pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrate’s Court to sub-letting his one-bedroom council flat and illegally evicting his tenant. 
He was fined a total of £1,923.

Sheffield Council secured both prosecutions at the same time – thought never to have been achieved before.

The court heard Nazzal let the property at St George’s Close in Netherthorpe for around six months before forcing his tenant out of the home.

He then rented out the house to a student, who had no idea the property belonged to the council.

Student Ata Allah Alalawi said: “Everything was fine until I wanted to leave. He started asking for extra rent – two months extra.

“When I wouldn’t pay he started shouting, saying the house was in a bad condition. He was making any excuse for me to pay.

“He started throwing my books about and ripping the bed sheets off. I asked what he was doing because a few days ago everything was fine.

“He grabbed me and pushed me out of the property and threatened I’d never see my possessions again if I called the police.”

The council is now undertaking legal proceedings to evict Nazzal from his council home.