Quick Answer
Illegal eviction is a criminal offence in the UK. Your landlord cannot remove you from your home, change the locks, cut off utilities, or make your life so uncomfortable that you feel forced to leave — without a court order. If this is happening to you right now, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 immediately. It is free.
🚨 If you are being illegally evicted right now
- Call Shelter's emergency line: 0808 800 4444 (free, 24 hours)
- Call the police if you are being physically removed or threatened
- Contact your local council's housing team — they have emergency powers
- Do not leave voluntarily — leaving makes it much harder to return
- Document everything — photos, video, messages, timestamps
Illegal eviction is more common than most people realise. It does not always look like a landlord physically throwing someone out. Often it is more subtle — changed locks while you were out, heating switched off in winter, belongings moved, constant intimidation. All of it is illegal.
What Is Illegal Eviction?
Under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, it is a criminal offence for a landlord or anyone acting on their behalf to unlawfully deprive a residential occupier of their occupation of their home, or to attempt to do so.
Illegal eviction includes any of the following without a court order:
- Changing the locks while you are out
- Removing your belongings from the property
- Cutting off gas, electricity, or water
- Physically threatening or assaulting you to make you leave
- Persistent harassment designed to make you feel you have no choice but to go
- Entering the property and refusing to leave when asked
- Removing doors, windows, or fixtures to make the property uninhabitable
The Law Behind Your Protection
Two pieces of legislation protect you:
Protection from Eviction Act 1977
Makes it a criminal offence to unlawfully evict or harass a residential occupier. Conviction can result in an unlimited fine and up to two years imprisonment. The local council is responsible for investigating and prosecuting.
Housing Act 1988
Confirms that only a court can grant a possession order, and only a court-appointed bailiff can enforce it. Any eviction carried out without this process — regardless of what your tenancy agreement says — is unlawful.
✓ You have the right to re-enter your home
If your landlord has changed the locks without a court order, you have the legal right to re-enter. You can apply to the county court for an injunction requiring the landlord to let you back in — and courts grant these urgently, sometimes the same day. This is called an injunction for re-entry.
Harassment vs Illegal Eviction
Harassment falls short of physical eviction but is equally illegal. It covers any act by the landlord intended to cause you to leave or to stop exercising your rights. Common examples include:
- Repeatedly entering the property without notice or consent
- Threatening behaviour, shouting, or intimidation
- Withholding post or interfering with your mail
- Refusing to carry out urgent repairs to make conditions unpleasant
- Turning up at your workplace or contacting your employer or family
- Sending large numbers of messages or making constant phone calls
What to Do Step by Step
1
Do not leave voluntarily
Leaving the property, even temporarily, significantly weakens your legal position. Stay put unless you are in immediate physical danger.
2
Document everything immediately
Photograph changed locks, damaged property, removed belongings. Screenshot messages. Note dates and times. This evidence is critical.
3
Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice
Shelter's helpline is 0808 800 4444, free to call. They can advise on emergency legal options including injunctions for re-entry.
4
Report to your local council
Every council has a private rented sector enforcement team with powers to investigate illegal eviction and take criminal action against the landlord.
5
Apply to court for an injunction
If you have been locked out, you can apply to the county court for an urgent injunction requiring re-entry. Legal aid may be available. Courts treat these applications seriously and can act within hours.
6
Claim civil damages
In addition to criminal proceedings, you can sue your landlord for civil damages for illegal eviction. Awards can be substantial — courts look at the difference in value between your tenancy and alternative accommodation, plus general damages for distress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My landlord changed the locks while I was out. What do I do?
This is illegal eviction. Do not accept it. Call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 immediately. You can apply for an emergency injunction from the county court requiring your landlord to restore your access — courts can grant these the same day in urgent cases. Also report to your local council's housing enforcement team. Do not leave your belongings inside without trying to reclaim access first.
Can my landlord evict me for not paying rent?
Yes — but only through the correct legal process. They must serve a valid Section 8 notice citing rent arrears grounds, then apply to court, attend a hearing, and obtain a court possession order. Only then can bailiffs enforce the eviction. A landlord who tries to remove you for non-payment without going through this process is committing an offence.
My landlord has turned off the heating. Is that illegal?
Deliberately cutting off or restricting utilities to force you to leave is harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and potentially an offence. Your landlord also has a legal duty under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to maintain installations for heating and hot water. Report this to your local council's housing enforcement team immediately.
What compensation can I get for illegal eviction?
Civil damages for illegal eviction can be significant. Courts assess the difference between the value of your tenancy (the rent you would have paid) and the market rate for equivalent accommodation — plus general damages for distress, inconvenience, and loss of belongings. Successful claimants have received thousands of pounds. You do not need a solicitor to bring a small claim, though legal advice is recommended for substantial claims.
Does illegal eviction apply to lodgers?
The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 provides different levels of protection depending on your status. Assured shorthold tenants have the strongest protection. Lodgers sharing accommodation with their landlord have fewer rights and can generally be asked to leave with reasonable notice — though physical removal or harassment is still unlawful. If you are unsure of your status, contact Citizens Advice.