Tenants guide
Contents
Eviction
Eviction is a legal process that can take a few months. You must be given notice, it is part of the legal process in court, your landlord cannot evict you without applying to the court. Ensure you contact us early so that we can try to stop an eviction.
If you live in a privately rented property your landlord may decide to start eviction proceedings by serving a Section 8 notice. They must have a reason for asking you to leave, these are known as ‘grounds’.
From 1 May 2026 your landlord cannot use a section 21 notice to end your tenancy, even if you had a fixed term tenancy agreement in place before 1 May 2026. If your landlord issues you a Section 21 notice or asks you to leave without the correct legal paperwork, it is an offence which you should report to us. The current legal notice must be given on Form 3a.
Notice periods
The notice period will depend on which ground(s) for possession your landlord is using. Read the grounds for possession guidance which lists all the grounds and notice periods your landlord can use.
Unlawful eviction
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 places a duty on us to investigate and enforce cases of unlawful eviction and/or harassment, which could result in prosecution or a Civil Penalty.
Landlords and letting agents must follow the correct procedures to evict tenants.
To gain possession of a property, a landlord must:
- give the proper legal written notice
- get a court order for possession, and
- get a bailiff’s warrant for possession.
If the tenant/licensee and landlord share living accommodation, the landlord does not have to get a court order to evict the tenant/licensee, but must give the correct written notice.
It’s an illegal eviction if your landlord or anyone acting on their behalf:
- forces you to leave by threatening or harassing you
- kicks you out or uses physical force to make you leave
- stops you from getting into parts of your home
- changes the locks while you are out
If you feel that your landlord is trying to evict you without following the lawful procedure, you should contact us. We can help you understand why problems have arisen in the tenancy and try to find ways to resolve them.
Harassment
Harassment is defined in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 as:
- Acts likely to interfere with the peace and comfort of those living in the property, or
- Persistent withdrawal of services that are reasonably required for the occupation of the property.
A landlord, or someone acting on their behalf, may commit harassment through the following conduct;
- making threats to persuade a tenant to leave
- cutting off services such as gas, electricity, or water
- entering a tenant’s room without permission
- not carrying out or completing essential repairs, demand to carry out excessive repairs
- anti-social conduct by the landlord/agent
- physical violence
- verbal abuse
- withholding keys
- changing locks
- removing belongings
- visiting at unsociable hours
- constant telephone calls or text messages
Retaliatory or revenge eviction
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 notices which could be used by landlords to evict tenants without a reason and were sometimes used by landlords to evict tenants who made complaints. From 1 May 2026 your landlord must use a Section 8 notice with valid grounds for asking you to leave.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 provides additional rights for private rent tenants and places a duty on us to investigate and enforce action against landlords and letting agents who do not comply with the new law. You can find out more about the Renters' Rights Act on the Government’s Housing Hub.
Contact the Housing Options team
If you think your landlord is harassing you or trying to unlawfully evict you, or you have been served a notice that you think is incorrect, call us on: 0300 123 5017.
Page last reviewed: 22 April 2026
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