Basic protection from eviction
Basic protection means your landlord needs a court order to evict you.
But they do not need to tell you or the court why they want the property back.
Should you also get a notice?
If you have a rolling tenancy or licence agreement, your landlord must give you a notice to quit.
If you have a fixed term agreement, your landlord can apply for a court order to evict you when your contract ends. They do not need to give you notice but you will get a letter from the court.
Only court bailiffs can evict you. It's an illegal eviction if your landlord or agent forces or pressures you to leave.
Who has basic protection from eviction?
You probably have basic protection from eviction if:
your home comes with your job
you live in student halls at university
you are a property guardian and do not have a tenancy
you and your landlord live in separate flats in a converted house
You might also have basic protection from eviction if you live in a hostel or hotel and have a licence agreement.
Check your tenancy type if you're not in any of these situations.
Housing that comes with your job
Check your employment contract to see if it says where you must live.
You usually have basic protection from eviction if either:
you need to live there to do your job
your employment contract says you need to live there to do your job properly
But you can be evicted without a court order if either:
you do not pay rent
you share living rooms like a bathroom or kitchen with your employer
Example: housing that comes with a job
Mona works as a carer in sheltered housing.
Her employment contract says she must live in an onsite flat, so she can come into work at short notice.
Mona's rent is taken out of her wages.
Mona has basic protection from eviction.
If you rent from your employer but do not need to live there
You probably have an assured tenancy.
This gives you stronger rights.
Example: housing is not connected to a job
Amy works in a shop. She rents a flat above the shop.
Her employer owns the flat and the shop.
Amy could live somewhere else but she wanted to live close to her workplace.
Amy has an assured tenancy.
More on housing that comes with your job.
Students in halls of residence
Your landlord might be:
your university or college
a private company providing student housing
Most of your rights come from your tenancy or licence agreement so read it carefully.
You probably have a fixed term agreement. For example, an agreement that starts in September and ends in June.
Most students in halls of residence move out when the agreement ends. If you do not leave your landlord can apply for a court order to evict you.
Property guardians
Most property guardians have licence agreements not tenancies.
You still have basic protection from eviction. Your home should also be safe.
If you share with other property guardians, the company might need an HMO licence.
More on the rights of property guardians.
Living in the same building as your landlord
You have basic protection from eviction if you and your landlord live in separate flats in a converted house.
You probably have an assured tenancy if it's a purpose built block of flats.
But you are a lodger if you share a kitchen, bathroom or living room with your landlord. Lodgers can be evicted without a court order.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
