If you’re renting privately in Portsmouth, this page explains what landlord harassment and illegal eviction are, what your rights are, and what landlords must do. You can also find guidance on the UK government website.
Illegal eviction and harassment advice for private tenants
What is harassment
As a tenant, you have the right to enjoy your home without disturbance. If your landlord acts in a way that disrupts this, it may be considered harassment. Examples of such behaviour include:
- removing or restricting your essential services such as gas, electricity or water supplies.
- entering your home without your permission or prior notice.
- refusing to allow you to have visitors
Illegal eviction
An illegal eviction takes place if your landlord forces you to leave your home without following the proper legal process. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence.
What is illegal eviction
- Changing the locks while you’re out.
- Stopping you from getting into your home or parts of your home.
- Not giving you the correct legal notice to leave your home.
- The landlord uses violence or threats of violence to force you to leave.
- Asking you to leave before the proper legal procedure has been followed.
Civil actions you can take
- Apply for a civil injunction
- To stop your landlord from continuing with the illegal eviction, or from harassing you.
- Apply for an emergency injunction
- Also known as ‘without notice’ injunctions. You can apply in emergency situations (like experiencing homelessness after an illegal eviction).
- Claim compensation for damages which can include:
- General damages (like stress and inconvenience)
- Damages for harassment
- Special damages (like costs incurred due to the illegal eviction)
- Exemplary damages (in cases of particularly bad behaviour)
Depending on your case, the court may order your landlord to allow you back into the property.
You can contact Advice Portsmouth for support. They can guide you through each step of the process and help you understand what to do next.
What the council can do
We can support you with investigations, advice, and potentially prosecuting a landlord for a criminal offence under the ‘Protection from Eviction Act 1977’. In some circumstances we may speak to your landlord on your behalf to explain their legal responsibilities and the consequences of illegal eviction. We’ll also make it clear that their actions may be breaking the law.
If you think you’re being illegally evicted and want advice, please contact us on PSH@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or 023 9268 8369.
When to involve the Police
If your landlord is attempting to illegally evict you from your home the police can take action. Illegal evictions are a criminal offense.
If you are at risk of violence or are in immediate danger contact 999. If you have been threatened with illegal eviction or you are concerned your landlord, may attempt to illegally evict you, you can contact the police on 101.