Help if you're being harassed or have been unlawfully evicted by your landlord, and what landlords are not allowed to do
Renters' Rights Act
The Renters Rights Act is now law. Most changes will happen in May 2026. For more information visit GOV.UK.Your right to stay in your home
You have the right to stay in your home unless your landlord has a valid legal reason and follows the correct legal process.
Your landlord cannot:
- force you to leave
- harass or threaten you
- make living in your home difficult, so you feel pressurised to leave the property
Harassment
Harassment is anything your landlord does, or fails to do, that makes you leave or makes you feel you must leave.
It includes:
- cutting off services, like gas and electricity
- visiting the property at unsociable hours
- refusing to carry out necessary repairs
- starting but not finishing disruptive repairs or building work
- trying to take away or restrict your legal rights as a tenant
- being violent or threatening violence
- abusive, intimidating or aggressive behaviour
- entering your home without permission
- opening your post or removing your belongings
Record everything
Use our renter's harassment diary to keep a record of:
- dates and times
- what happened
- what was said
- who was present
Keep copies of texts, emails, letters and take photos where relevant.
When you see your landlord, ask them to confirm anything said verbally in writing.
Try and have someone with you to give you support and be a witness.
Unlawful eviction
You may have been unlawfully evicted if:
- you're told to leave without being given the correct legal notice
- your landlord has not used the correct legal grounds
- you find the locks have been changed
- you're removed from the property without a court possession order
- anyone other than a court-appointed bailiffs attempts to evict you
A landlord must get a court order before you can be evicted. Only court bailiffs can carry out an eviction. Anything else is unlawful.
If your landlord's mortgage lender repossesses the property, you must still be given notice.
If this is happening to you
If you think you're being harassed or unlawfully evicted:
- stay in your home if it's safe to do so
- keep records of what is happening, such as texts, emails, photos, dates
- get help as soon as possible
- do not leave your home unless a court orders you to
Getting back into a property
If you have been locked out of a property that you have a right to occupy, we can try to negotiate with the landlord to let you back in.
If this is unsuccessful, you can contact a private solicitor. The court can order your landlord to let you return.
Report an illegal eviction or harassment
Tell us if you think you're being illegally evicted or harassed.