Most private tenants can only be evicted if your landlord has served valid notice, and has been to court to obtain a warrant of eviction to end your tenancy. This applies to everyone who has an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. This will not apply if you live with your landlord although you should still receive a reasonable notice period in writing to leave. If your landlord has evicted you without following the correct procedure, they may be acting illegally. Illegal eviction is a serious civil and criminal offence.

If your landlord or someone acting on behalf of your landlord is trying to evict you without serving proper notice and obtaining a court order, contact your local housing options team to report this.

An eviction may be illegal if:

• your landlord doesn’t give you the appropriate amount of notice to leave the property
• your landlord changes the locks while you are out or stops you getting into your home
• your landlord disconnects services such as gas, electricity or water to make you leave
• your landlord harasses you to make you leave without a court order
• you are physically removed from your home by anyone other than a Court Appointed Bailiff