UKCan my landlord evict me for reporting repairs to the council?
No, your landlord cannot lawfully evict you for reporting repairs to the council — doing so may amount to retaliatory eviction, which is illegal under UK law.
What the Law Says
The Housing Act 1988 sets out the legal framework for assured shorthold tenancies, including how landlords can end them. While section 21 allows 'no-fault' eviction, it does not permit eviction in retaliation for tenants exercising their rights — such as reporting disrepair to the local council.
Under the Housing Act 1988, a landlord may serve a section 21 notice to regain possession of a property without giving a reason — but only if certain conditions are met. However, courts have interpreted this power as being subject to statutory and common law protections against retaliatory action.
Crucially, the Deregulation Act 2015 (which amended the Housing Act 1988) introduced protections that prevent landlords from serving a valid section 21 notice if the tenant has made a written complaint about disrepair and the local authority has issued an improvement notice or emergency remedial action notice — and the landlord has not complied within the required time.
Although the provided statute text does not quote the full section, the Housing Act 1988, s. 21 remains the legal basis for no-fault evictions — but its use is now constrained by later reforms protecting tenants who report hazards.
Statutory Text— Housing Act 1988, s. 21 — Recovery of possession on expiry or termination of assured shorthold tenancy
What to Do
Keep written records of all repair requests to your landlord and the council, including dates and responses.
If the council issues an improvement notice, share a copy with your landlord and keep proof of service.
If you receive a section 21 notice within 6 months of reporting disrepair, seek advice immediately — it may be invalid.
Contact your local Citizens Advice or a housing charity (e.g., Shelter) for free support.
Raise the issue with the court if eviction proceedings begin — the judge must consider whether the notice is retaliatory.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
US-CaliforniaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.