Tenant Left in the Cold After Landlady Removes Doors and Windows
FRANCE – A landlady in Pas-de-Calais removed the doors and windows of her tenant’s home after the tenant failed to pay rent.
In many European countries, including France, evictions are prohibited during the winter months, even if tenants fail to pay their rent on time. However, a landlady in Pas-de-Calais, northern France, violated this law by using an unusual method to evict her tenants. On December 20, 2024, a group of workers arrived at the rental property and began removing the doors and windows, telling the tenant that they would be replaced.
The tenant, a mother with a child, claimed that once the doors and windows were loaded onto a service vehicle, the workers never returned. The tenant and her family were left without proper protection from the cold for the night and the following days.
Despite attempts to reach her landlady by phone, the tenant was unable to make contact. To cope with the freezing temperatures, the tenant covered the windows and doors with cardboard. She also expressed her fear of leaving the house because she was worried that if they did, they might not be able to return, and the landlady would lock them out.
When the media contacted the landlady, she admitted to removing the doors and windows. She justified her actions by stating that the tenant had not fulfilled their agreement, accusing the tenant of not insuring the property as they had discussed. The landlady also claimed that the tenant had not paid rent for five months.
According to PEP.ph, the French Homeowners’ Association acknowledged the landlady’s motive but emphasized that her method of eviction was illegal. The tenant has filed a complaint, and in the meantime, she and her family are staying in social housing temporarily.