UKMy landlord is trying to evict me without a court order. Is this illegal?
Yes, it is illegal for your landlord to evict you without a court order in the UK — doing so may amount to a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
What the Law Says
The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes it a criminal offence for a landlord to forcibly remove or attempt to remove a residential occupier without a court order.
Under this law, it does not matter whether you have a formal tenancy agreement — if you live in the property as your home, you are protected.
The law applies even if your landlord claims you’ve broken the tenancy terms or owe rent. They must still go through the proper legal process and obtain a possession order from court before eviction.
‘Eviction’ includes actions like changing the locks, removing your belongings, cutting off utilities, or threatening or intimidating you to leave.
Statutory TextA person is guilty of an offence if he does any act likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of a residential occupier of premises, or persistently withdraws or withholds services reasonably required for the occupation of those premises, knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the act or withdrawal or withholding of services will cause the occupier to give up occupation of the premises.
— Protection from Eviction Act 1977, s. 2 — Offence of unlawful eviction
What to Do
Do not leave the property unless you choose to — staying puts you in a stronger legal position.
Record all incidents: take photos, save texts/emails, note dates/times of lock changes, threats, or utility cuts.
Contact your local council’s housing advice team — they can offer free support and may investigate.
Report the matter to the police if you feel unsafe or threatened — unlawful eviction is a criminal offence.
Seek urgent legal advice from a housing charity (e.g., Shelter) or legal aid provider — you may be able to apply for an injunction or claim compensation.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
IndiaNot 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.