Graham Cook, 49, pleaded guilty to striking a window and causing it to break at a property in Trinity Street, Hawick, on the afternoon of December 11, 2021.
Depute fiscal Amy Robertson said neighbours heard a banging noise and recognised the accused from being a tenant who used to live in the property.
She added they then heard glass shattering and saw Cook removing glass from the window frame.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that it was a rented property and Cook had been evicted for rent arrears.
Defence lawyer Catriona Logan said: “He was attempting to get his stuff back and said he had £1,000 worth of belongings in there.”
Cook was ordered to pay £250 compensation for the cost of the damage to the window.