Eviction of regulated tenants

You're likely to be a regulated or protected tenant if you pay rent to a private landlord and your tenancy started before 15 January 1989.

This applies even if you've had a new landlord during this time. For example, if the original landlord died or sold the property.

Regulated or protected tenants have stronger rights than most other private tenants.

Illegal eviction of regulated tenants

It is against the law for your landlord to try to evict you without getting a court order.

It is harassment if anyone pressures you into leaving your tenancy.

Get help to deal with harassment.

Find out more about illegal eviction.

The legal eviction process

If your landlord wants you to leave, they must:

• apply to court

• go to a possession hearing

• prove a legal reason for eviction

The court can usually decide if it's reasonable for you to lose your home.

Notice from your landlord

Between 26 March 2020 and 30 September 2021, you were entitled to notice before your landlord could start court action.

This was a temporary rule during the coronavirus pandemic and no longer applies.

You still have strong tenancy rights and the court won't evict you without a reason.

Court papers

You will get several letters and forms from the court. Keep them together in a file.

This table shows the main documents you should get before a court hearing.

Where to get free legal advice

Get legal advice as soon as you get the claim and defence forms from the court.

You can often get free legal help if you're being evicted. There are different ways to do this.

Find other ways to get free legal advice.

The hearing

You should go to the possession hearing.

Always let the court know if there's a very good reason you can't attend. For example, sudden and serious ill health.

Discretionary grounds for eviction

The court decides if the ground is proved and if it is reasonable to order possession.

The court will take account of evidence provided by you and your landlord.

Discretionary grounds include:

• rent arrears or breaking the tenancy agreement

• damage to the property or any furniture that was provided

• you have sublet your whole home without the landlord's consent

• suitable alternative housing is available (for example, a secure council tenancy)

Sometimes the court can make a suspended possession order. This means that you can't be evicted as long as you keep to the conditions set by the court, for example by paying a certain amount each week towards your rent arrears.

Mandatory grounds for eviction

There are some situations where the court must order you to leave. These are known as mandatory grounds and are not common.

Your landlord can also get a possession order if they can show you no longer live there.

Eviction by bailiffs

This is the final stage of the eviction process.

You may still be able ask the court to stop or delay the eviction in some situations.