Your landlord is threatening to evict you - is this legal?

What the law says

Section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes it a criminal offence for the landlord to do acts likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of a residential occupier, or to persistently withdraw services, with the intent of causing them to leave or stop exercising rights. Threats can count where they are serious, repeated, or linked to pressure to leave.

Section 3 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 restricts eviction without due process. For an assured tenant, the landlord must use a lawful possession route, usually Section 8 after the Renters' Rights Act reforms, and must obtain a court order. Sections 27 and 28 of the Housing Act 1988 provide civil damages where unlawful conduct deprives you of occupation.

Step-by-step: what to do

1. Save every threat: texts, emails, voicemails, letters, call logs, videos, and witness names.

2. Reply once in writing, if safe, saying you will not leave without proper legal process and asking the landlord to stop threats.

3. If threats include violence, forced entry, or lock changes, call 999. For non-immediate threats, call 101 and contact the council.

4. Contact the council's tenancy relations or private housing team and provide the evidence log.

5. Get advice about an injunction if threats continue or if you are at risk of being forced out.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not treat threatening messages as harmless just because no notice has been served. Threats are often the start of illegal eviction. Do not agree to leave by text unless you want to surrender your tenancy. Do not meet the landlord alone if you feel unsafe. Do not delete messages after the situation calms down. Do not stop paying rent in response to threats, because arrears create a separate possession risk.

• Keep a threat diary.
• Report violence or forced-entry risk immediately.
• Do not surrender the tenancy under pressure.
• Keep rent and repair disputes documented separately.

Related guidance

• Illegal eviction checker
  Check threats, harassment, lockout risk, and next steps.
• The landlord is harassing you
  Harassment rules and evidence to collect.
• Illegal eviction guide
  Emergency action, injunctions, and damages.
• Eviction without court
  Why the landlord cannot remove you without a court process.

Common questions

Your landlord is threatening to evict you - is this legal?

Your landlord can warn that they intend to use the legal eviction process, but they cannot threaten to remove you without court action, change the locks, take your belongings, cut off services, or intimidate you into leaving. Threats that interfere with your peace or pressure you to give up your home can be harassment under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. The landlord must serve a valid notice, apply to court, get a possession order, and use a court bailiff. Keep evidence and get help early.

Is a threat to evict a criminal offence?

A single lawful warning about court action is not usually criminal. Threats to force you out, change locks, remove belongings, or intimidate you can be harassment under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Should I call the police?

Call 999 for immediate danger or forced entry. Use 101 for non-emergency threats and also contact the council's tenancy relations team.

Can the landlord evict me without notice?

For most private tenancies, no. The landlord must serve a valid notice, obtain a possession order, and use a court bailiff.

Can I claim damages for threats?

Yes, serious harassment can support civil damages, and if you are forced out, sections 27 and 28 of the Housing Act 1988 can apply.