This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

Housing associations need legal reasons (known as grounds) to evict secure and assured tenants. If you are an assured shorthold tenant in the fixed-term of your tenancy agreement (this would normally be in the first six months of your tenancy, but can be longer), the housing association would also need to prove a ground to evict you.

However, if you are a demoted or starter tenant, or if you are an assured shorthold tenant out of your fixed-term (a periodic tenant), the housing association won't have to prove a ground. It is also unlikely to need to provide a ground if you are living in temporary accommodation, supported housing, or a hostel.

Your housing association may have grounds for eviction, if:

• you have rent arrears
• you break a term of your tenancy agreement
• you (or people who live with you or visit you) cause a nuisance or annoyance in your home, or in the neighbourhood
• you use your home for illegal or immoral activities (eg drug dealing)
• you are violent towards your spouse, partner or civil partner, and s/he leaves as a result
• you damage your home or any furniture provided with it
• you lied about your circumstances in order to get the tenancy
• you paid money in order to exchange your home
• you have lodgers or subtenants, and your home is overcrowded as a result
• the housing association plans to demolish your home
• the housing association needs to do major repairs that it cannot do while you are living there
• your home was designed or adapted for a person with special needs, and the people in your household no longer need those special facilities.

Whatever the reasons, it's always a good idea to speak to an adviser. Use our advice services directory to find one near you. An adviser may be able to help you negotiate with the housing association, and/or represent you in court. It's very important to prepare your case properly and attend the hearing. Otherwise, the judge may assume that you agree with everything your housing association has said.

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