Illegal eviction. What it is, what to do, and how to claim compensation.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Your landlord cannot change the locks, cut off utilities, remove your belongings, or harass you into leaving — without a court order, at any time, for any reason. There are no exceptions.

Your landlord cannot change the locks on your home without a court order, even if you are in rent arrears. Doing so is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Removing or interfering with your belongings — furniture, clothes, documents — to force you out is illegal harassment and potentially theft.

Deliberately disconnecting gas, electricity, water, or broadband to make the property uninhabitable is a criminal offence.

Any conduct intended to cause you to leave — threats, aggression, entering without notice repeatedly — is harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Serving a section 21 notice (now unlawful) or a defective section 8 notice and telling you that you must leave is also potentially an offence if done knowingly.

If you are locked out of your own home and your landlord refuses to let you back in, this is unlawful deprivation of your home.

If you have been illegally evicted, you have the right to return. Leaving voluntarily may complicate any legal action and may be treated as surrender of the tenancy.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence. The police can require your landlord to let you back in immediately. Call 999 if you are being threatened or 101 for non-emergency illegal eviction.

Contact your council

Every local authority has a duty to investigate illegal eviction. Many have specialist housing enforcement teams. They can prosecute your landlord and may be able to help you re-enter your home.

Apply to court for re-entry

You can apply to the county court for an injunction requiring your landlord to let you back in. This can be granted on the same day in urgent cases. Legal aid may be available.

You are entitled to damages from your landlord. These can be substantial — the Housing Act 1988, s.28 allows the court to award damages based on the difference in value of the property with and without a sitting tenant.

What it is, what to do, and how to claim compensation.

If you are being illegally evicted right now — call the police (999 or 101) and your local council. This page explains your full rights and what compensation you may be owed.

Locked out right now?

if you are being threatened or

for non-urgent illegal eviction. Then call your local council’s housing emergency number — every council has a duty to respond. Do not break back in yourself. The police and council can act immediately to restore your access.

What counts as illegal eviction

Six things your landlord cannot do.

No notice, no reason, no court order — still illegal

Even if you are in significant rent arrears, even if you have damaged the property, even if both parties verbally agreed you would leave — your landlord must obtain a court order before physically removing you or denying you access. There are no exceptions.

Five steps if you have been illegally evicted.

Has your landlord broken the law?

If your landlord has illegally evicted you, harassed you, or failed to comply with notices, you may be entitled to a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Start My Claim builds your application. Fixed fee £147.

Illegal eviction — FAQ

Sources: Protection from Eviction Act 1977, ss.1–2 · Housing Act 1988, s.28 (damages for unlawful eviction) · Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c.34) · MHCLG: The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026