Can my landlord change the locks if I owe rent?

No. Rent arrears can be a ground for possession, but the landlord still has to serve a Section 8 notice, go to court and use court bailiffs. Changing the locks to remove a tenant without a court order is an offence under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, whatever the arrears.

The police said it is a civil matter. Is that right?

Not entirely. Illegal eviction and harassment are criminal offences under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Shelter notes that police sometimes get this wrong. Contact your council as well, since it can investigate, fine the landlord up to £40,000 or prosecute.

How much can I get back through a rent repayment order?

For an offence committed on or after 1 May 2026, the First-tier Tribunal can order the landlord to repay up to two years' rent. The tribunal decides the amount, which can be less than the maximum. You must apply within two years of the offence.

Does the landlord have to be convicted before I can apply?

No. The tribunal can make a rent repayment order without a conviction, but it must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the offence was committed. Evidence such as photos, messages and witness details is what meets that standard.

I rent a room in my landlord's house. Do they need a court order?

Usually not, if your landlord lives there and you share a kitchen, bathroom or living space with them. You are then a lodger and need only be given reasonable notice. The landlord still cannot use or threaten violence.

My landlord keeps cutting off the heating to make me leave. Is that illegal eviction?

It can be harassment under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, which covers persistently withdrawing or withholding services you reasonably need, where the landlord knows or has reason to believe it is likely to make you leave. It is also an offence that can found a rent repayment order. Record each occasion and report it to the council.

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My Landlord Has Changed the Locks or Is Trying to Force Me Out. What Can I Do?

A landlord in England needs a court order to make a tenant leave. Changing the locks is a crime, councils can now fine up to £40,000, and…