Help from the council with harassment and illegal eviction
The council must try to stop a threatened illegal eviction if it would leave you legally homeless.
Councils can:
negotiate with your landlord
talk to your landlord about your rights
prosecute your landlord in serious cases
tell your landlord that they are breaking the law
help you get back into your home if you've been illegally evicted
What to do before you contact the council
It's a good idea to prepare before you call or email your council.
Be ready to tell them:
how your landlord is harassing you
times and dates of unwanted visits
your landlord’s contact details
The council will be in a better position to take action against your landlord if you have this evidence.
Find out about how to keep a record of harassment.
Contact the council
Every council has a team that deals with harassment and illegal eviction.
The team could be called something like:
private rented housing team
environmental health team
tenancy relations officer or team
You should be able to find the team's contact details on your council website.
Find your council's details on GOV.UK
In London, you can report a rogue landlord or agent on the London Assembly website. Details are passed to your local council for investigation if you give permission.
Phone the council
Say you need help because your landlord is harassing you or because you're being threatened with illegal eviction.
Make a note of:
who you speak to
what you discuss
the time and date
the number you've called
what your next steps should be
Use an online form to contact the council
Some councils only let you contact them with an online form.
Make sure you mention:
your landlord’s actions
what specific help you want
why you’re at risk of illegal eviction or harassment
how often and when the harassment has happened
Keep a record of the date and time you sent the form and any reference number you get.
Use our letter template
Copy the template into an email to your council.
[Use the subject: Harassment and illegal eviction by private landlord]
I have a private tenancy at [your address] and I am at risk of illegal eviction.
I need urgent help to stop my landlord harassing me.
My landlord is [name and contact details of landlord or letting agent].
They are harassing me by [say what is happening and when].
I need to speak to a tenancy relations officer or someone on the private rented housing team as soon as possible.
Please contact me on [phone number or email].
Thank you
You can also send it as an email attachment or by post:
Word template: Ask for council help to stop harassment and illegal eviction (docx 16kb)
OpenDocument template: Ask for council help to stop harassment and illegal eviction (odt 8kb)
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Make sure you tell your council if you live in an HMO.
Most HMOs must be licensed by the council. Councils can enforce HMO licensing rules.
Landlord harassment breaks HMO licensing rules. They could lose their HMO licence.
If you struggle to get through to your council
It can be hard to get through to your council. Keep trying.
It is a good idea to:
try different numbers on your council website
call your council at different times of the day
get in touch with your local councillor
send follow up emails
contact your local MP
If you're facing homelessness
Contact your council's homeless team if harassment is so bad that you cannot stay in or return to your home.
How to contact your council's homeless team
What is your location?
Need more templates?
Last updated: 30 May 2022
