Help with evictions

It’s illegal for your landlord or an agency to evict you from your home without following the correct steps. 

If they do not, they may be guilty of illegally evicting or harassing you.  

Your landlord cannot make you leave your home by threatening you. 

 

When you can be evicted  

Your landlord can ask you to leave your home if they have served you with a notice.   

They must:  

• give you a valid section 21 or section 8 notice
• get a possession order from court if you haven’t left by the date on the section 21 or section 8 notice
• ask the court for a warrant of possession if you haven’t left by the date on the possession order
• get an eviction warrant from the court. This means bailiffs can make you leave your home  

Your landlord does not need to give you any reason for a section 21 notice. They could want to sell the property or move back in.   

Your landlord must give a reason for a section 8 notice. For example, if you have damaged the property or not paid your rent.  

If you have an excluded tenancy or licence  

For example, you live with your landlord, they only need to give you reasonable notice. The notice does not have to be in writing. 

 

If your landlord has not followed the correct steps 

You might be able to challenge the eviction and stay in your home.  

Learn more about your rights when facing eviction from:  

• GOV.UK for eviction rules landlords must follow
• housing charity Shelter’s eviction guidance
• Citizens Advice’s advice on what to do if you get a Section 21 notice 

Contact us if you have nowhere to stay tonight on 0208 708 4002.

Harassment 

It's a crime for your landlord to harass you to try and force you out of your home.   

Harassment includes:  

• changing your locks
• using threatening behaviour
• verbal or physical abuse
• entering your home without permission
• withdrawing services, such as gas or electricity 

See housing charity Shelter’s guidance on how to deal with harassment from landlords or agents 

 

Contact us for help  

You’ll need to complete our online form before you contact us.   

If you are homeless and have nowhere to stay tonight, call 0208 708 4002.  

We’ll help you by:  

• checking whether you have a legal right to stay in the property
• trying to resolve any disagreements with your landlord
• giving you advice on finding somewhere else to live