UKI'm a lodger not a tenant. Do I have any eviction protections?
Yes, as a lodger in England and Wales, you have limited eviction protections under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 — your landlord must give you reasonable notice before asking you to leave, and cannot use unlawful means to force you out.
What the Law Says
The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 provides basic safeguards for people living in someone else’s home — including lodgers — even though they don’t have full tenancy rights.
As a lodger (someone who lives in the same property as their landlord and shares living space like a kitchen or bathroom), you are not a tenant and do not have security of tenure under housing law. However, you are still protected from harassment and unlawful eviction.
Section 3A of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes it a criminal offence for a landlord to unlawfully evict or harass a person who has live-in accommodation — including lodgers — unless they have first given them reasonable notice to quit.
Unlike tenants, lodgers do not need a court order to be evicted — but the landlord must still act lawfully. Using threats, changing locks without consent, removing belongings, or cutting off utilities to force you out is illegal.
Statutory TextIt is an offence for a person to unlawfully evict or harass a person who has live-in accommodation.
— Protection from Eviction Act 1977, s. 3A — Unlawful eviction and harassment
What to Do
Check whether your arrangement qualifies as a lodger (you share accommodation with your landlord and they retain control over the property).
If asked to leave, confirm whether the notice given is reasonable — usually at least 28 days, depending on circumstances and how long you’ve lived there.
Do not let your landlord change locks, remove your belongings, or cut off services — these are unlawful acts.
If harassed or evicted unlawfully, contact the police (it’s a criminal offence) and seek advice from Citizens Advice or a housing charity.
Keep records: texts, emails, photos of locks or damage, and notes of incidents.
Sources
Not 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.