Your landlord must follow strict procedures if they want you to leave their property. If they do not, they may be guilty of illegally evicting or harassing you.
It’s a crime for your landlord to harass you or try to force you out of a property without using proper procedures. If this happens, you may have a right to claim damages through the court.
What is harassment?
Harassment can anything a landlord does, or fails to do, that makes you feel unsafe in the property you rent or if they force you to leave the property you rent. It includes:
- threatening to change the locks
- opening or withholding your post
- entering your home without permission
- removing or interfering with your belongings
- violent or intimidating language or behaviour
- persistently cutting off gas, water or electricity
- demands for money that you don't owe or can't pay
- pressure to move out before your tenancy ends legally
Illegal evictions
Your landlord may be guilty of illegal eviction if you:
- are not given the notice to leave the property that your landlord must give you
- find the locks have been changed
- are evicted without a court order
Even if your landlord’s property is repossessed by their mortgage lender, the lender must give you notice so you can find other accommodation.
What you can do
If you think you’re being harassed or threatened with illegal eviction, or the property you rent is being repossessed, you can:
You could also:
If physical violence is involved, contact the police.