Landlord harassment can take many forms. It may involve repeated unwanted visits, threats, interference with your home, cutting off services, refusing necessary repairs, or behaviour designed to pressure you into leaving.
In England, harassment of residential occupiers and illegal eviction are covered by the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Government guidance confirms that landlords must not harass tenants or attempt to remove them without following the correct legal process.
Knowing what counts as harassment is important because some behaviour may initially seem like an ordinary landlord-tenant disagreement. The difference can become clearer when you look at the pattern, purpose and effect of the landlord’s actions.
What Is Landlord Harassment?
Landlord harassment generally refers to behaviour by a landlord, letting agent, or someone acting on their behalf that interferes with a tenant’s ability to live safely and peacefully in their home or is intended to pressure them into leaving.
The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes certain forms of harassment a criminal offence. The legislation covers conduct intended to cause a residential occupier to give up occupation or prevent them from exercising their rights.
Government guidance gives several examples of conduct that can amount to harassment, including:
- Stopping essential services such as electricity.
- Withholding keys.
- Refusing to carry out repairs that are the landlord’s responsibility.
- Threatening behaviour or physical violence.
- Threatening to change the locks.
- Opening or taking a tenant’s post.
- Interfering with access to temperature controls.
- Antisocial behaviour carried out by someone acting on the landlord’s behalf.
Not every disagreement with a landlord is harassment. For example, a landlord can normally take legitimate steps to recover possession when the law allows it. The problem arises when unlawful pressure, intimidation or interference is used instead of the proper legal process.
Think of it this way: a landlord has legal tools for dealing with tenancy problems; harassment is not a substitute for using those tools.
Common Examples of Landlord Harassment
Harassment is not always obvious. Sometimes it involves one serious incident, while in other cases it is a pattern of behaviour that gradually makes the property difficult or frightening to live in.
1. Repeated Unwanted Visits
A landlord may have legitimate reasons to access a property in some circumstances, such as carrying out repairs or inspections. However, repeatedly turning up without appropriate arrangements or using visits to intimidate a tenant can become a serious problem.
If unwanted visits are part of a wider attempt to pressure you into leaving, keep a record of every incident.
2. Threats or Intimidation
Threatening to remove you, change the locks, damage your belongings or otherwise make you leave can be harassment.
Threats involving violence should be treated particularly seriously. GOV.UK advises contacting the police where physical violence or threats are involved.
3. Cutting Off Utilities
A landlord may not use essential services as a weapon to pressure a tenant.
Government guidance specifically identifies stopping services such as electricity as an example of harassment.
If your water, electricity, gas or another essential service has been deliberately interrupted, preserve evidence showing what happened and when.
4. Refusing Necessary Repairs
Refusing to deal with repairs that are the landlord’s responsibility can sometimes form part of harassment, particularly where the behaviour is intended to make the tenant leave.
GOV.UK lists refusal to carry out landlord-responsible repairs among possible examples of harassment.
However, repair disputes can involve separate housing, health and safety obligations too, so tenants should distinguish between an ordinary repair dispute and conduct intended to force them out.
5. Threatening to Change the Locks
A landlord cannot simply bypass the legal possession process because they want their property back.
Threatening to change the locks can itself be evidence of harassment, while actually changing locks to prevent a tenant from accessing their home may amount to illegal eviction.
6. Interfering With Your Post or Belongings
Opening or taking a tenant’s post is another example identified in government guidance.
Likewise, removing or interfering with belongings can become particularly serious if it forms part of an attempt to force the tenant out.
7. Using Other People to Intimidate You
Harassment does not necessarily have to be carried out personally by the landlord.
Government guidance recognises that antisocial behaviour by someone acting on the landlord’s behalf can be relevant.
For that reason, do not automatically assume that behaviour is irrelevant simply because another person carried it out.
What Is the Difference Between Harassment and Illegal Eviction?
The two issues can overlap, but they are not exactly the same.
Harassment generally involves conduct intended to interfere with a tenant’s occupation or pressure them into leaving.
Illegal eviction occurs when a landlord unlawfully deprives a residential occupier of their home or attempts to do so.
Examples of possible illegal eviction include:
- Changing the locks while the tenant is still living there.
- Physically removing the tenant.
- Removing the tenant’s belongings.
- Telling the tenant to leave without following the required legal process.
- Preventing access to the home or parts of it that the tenant is entitled to use.
If someone is physically trying to remove you or your belongings, GOV.UK advises contacting the police.
What Changed for Private Tenants in England in 2026?
There is an important recent development that tenants should understand.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act changes came into force for private-sector assured tenancies in England. Most existing assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and new private tenancies generally operate on a rolling basis.
Most importantly, landlords can no longer use the section 21 “no-fault” eviction process for these tenancies from 1 May 2026. A landlord generally needs a valid legal ground for possession and must follow the required procedure.
This does not mean a landlord can never recover possession. Landlords can still seek possession using the applicable legal grounds and procedures.
It does mean that threatening or pressuring a tenant to leave is not a replacement for following the possession process.
The rules can differ for lodgers, social housing and certain other arrangements, so the exact type of occupation matters.
How to Collect Evidence of Landlord Harassment
Good evidence can make it much easier for a council, police officer, adviser or court to understand what has happened.
Start keeping records as soon as possible.
Keep a Written Incident Log
For each incident, record:
- The date.
- The time.
- Where it happened.
- What the landlord or agent did.
- What was said, as accurately as possible.
- Who was present.
- How you responded.
- Whether there was any damage or loss.
Try to write the record soon after the event rather than relying on memory weeks later.
Save Emails and Text Messages
Keep communications with your landlord, agent or anyone acting for them.
Do not rely solely on screenshots if the original messages can be preserved. Keep copies of relevant emails, letters and other documents in a safe location.
Citizens Advice recommends collecting communications with the landlord and council as part of the evidence for housing disputes.
Take Photographs or Videos Where Appropriate
Photographs can help establish physical evidence, such as:
- Damage.
- Changed locks.
- Removed belongings.
- Property conditions.
- Evidence of interrupted services.
Make sure the photographs are stored safely and retain the original files where possible.
Keep Important Documents
Create a folder containing documents such as:
- Your tenancy agreement.
- Notices from the landlord.
- Letters and emails.
- Repair requests.
- Council correspondence.
- Relevant photographs.
- Receipts for expenses caused by the problem.
Citizens Advice specifically recommends keeping tenancy documents, eviction notices, communications and other supporting material.
Ask Witnesses to Record What They Saw
If another person witnessed an incident, ask them to make a clear record of what they personally saw or heard.
A witness does not have to be a professional. It could be another tenant, neighbour or visitor who directly observed an incident.
Do not pressure someone to become a witness. Simply ask whether they are willing to record what they experienced.
What If You Have No Witness?
Do not assume that you have no case simply because nobody else saw what happened.
Your own contemporaneous record can still be useful evidence. Citizens Advice notes that courts do not necessarily expect harassment to have a witness and recommends recording events as early and accurately as possible.
A consistent timeline can become particularly useful when combined with messages, photographs, letters, repair requests or other documents.
How to Report Landlord Harassment
If you believe you are being harassed, there are several possible routes for getting help.
Contact Your Local Council
Your local council’s housing or private-sector housing team may be able to investigate complaints involving harassment or illegal eviction.
Citizens Advice states that councils can investigate harassment and illegal eviction and may take enforcement action where appropriate.
When contacting the council, explain the situation clearly and provide your evidence.
A useful complaint should identify:
- Who your landlord or agent is.
- The address of the property.
- What has happened.
- When the incidents occurred.
- Why you believe the behaviour amounts to harassment or illegal eviction.
- What evidence you have.
- Whether you are currently at risk of losing access to your home.
Contact the Police in an Emergency
If you are facing physical violence, threats, or an attempt to remove you or your belongings without the proper legal authority, contact the police.
GOV.UK specifically advises tenants to contact the police when physical violence or threats are involved or when someone is trying to remove them or their belongings without a court order or court-appointed bailiff.
For non-emergency situations, use the appropriate police contact route rather than an emergency service.
Get Housing or Legal Advice
Citizens Advice and Shelter can help tenants understand their options.
Legal advice can be particularly important if:
- You have received a possession notice.
- Your landlord is threatening to remove you.
- Your locks have been changed.
- You are being pressured to sign an agreement.
- You are considering court action.
- You have suffered financial losses.
Can a Landlord Evict You for Complaining?
A landlord cannot simply ignore the law because a tenant has complained.
The precise protection available depends on the circumstances, tenancy type and reason for any proposed possession action.
Since the Renters’ Rights Act changes came into force on 1 May 2026, most private-sector assured tenancies in England cannot be ended using a section 21 “no-fault” notice. Landlords must generally rely on an applicable possession ground and follow the relevant process.
If you receive a notice after making a complaint, keep both the complaint and the notice. The timing may be relevant when an adviser or council assesses the situation.
Do not ignore formal notices simply because you believe the landlord is acting unfairly.
Can You Claim Compensation?
Potential remedies depend on the circumstances and the legal route available.
GOV.UK states that tenants affected by harassment or illegal eviction may have rights that include being allowed back into their home, claiming compensation and, where the eligibility requirements are met, applying for a rent repayment order.
Citizens Advice also explains that tenants may be able to apply for a rent repayment order where a landlord has committed qualifying offences, including certain cases of illegal eviction or harassment.
Because the requirements for a particular claim can be technical, it is sensible to obtain advice before starting legal proceedings.
What Should You Do If Your Landlord Changes the Locks?
If your landlord changes the locks while you are still legally occupying the property, this can be an illegal eviction.
Do not assume that you have to accept being locked out simply because the landlord owns the property. Ownership does not automatically give a landlord the right to bypass the legal possession procedure.
If you are being physically removed, threatened, or prevented from accessing your home, contact the police. You should also contact your local council and obtain urgent housing or legal advice.
Keep evidence of the lock change, including photographs, messages and information about when you discovered that you could no longer enter.
Common Mistakes Tenants Should Avoid
When dealing with harassment, tenants can sometimes make the situation harder by reacting impulsively.
Do Not Delete Messages
Even angry or unpleasant messages may become useful evidence.
Do Not Rely Only on Verbal Conversations
Where appropriate, follow important conversations with a written message confirming what was discussed.
For example, after a conversation about a repair, you might send a short factual message confirming the issue and date discussed.
Do Not Ignore Formal Notices
A notice that appears unlawful should still be reviewed carefully. Get advice rather than simply ignoring it.
Do Not Exaggerate Your Evidence
Stick to what actually happened. A clear, factual timeline is usually more useful than dramatic language or claims you cannot prove.
Do Not Put Yourself in Danger to Gather Evidence
Your safety comes first. You do not need to confront your landlord or deliberately place yourself in a dangerous situation to create evidence.
A Practical Evidence Checklist
If you believe you are experiencing harassment, create a folder and collect:
- Tenancy agreement.
- Rent payment records.
- Emails.
- Text messages.
- Letters.
- Notices.
- Incident diary.
- Photographs.
- Videos where appropriate.
- Repair requests.
- Council correspondence.
- Witness statements or accounts.
- Receipts showing financial losses.
- Police reference information, where applicable.
Back up important information somewhere the landlord cannot access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an example of landlord harassment?
Examples can include threatening behaviour, threatening to change the locks, cutting off services, opening or taking post, withholding keys, refusing landlord-responsible repairs, and other conduct intended to interfere with occupation or pressure a tenant to leave.
Is a landlord allowed to threaten to change the locks?
Threatening to change the locks can be an example of harassment. Actually changing the locks to remove a tenant without following the legal possession process may amount to illegal eviction.
What evidence do I need for landlord harassment?
Useful evidence can include a detailed incident diary, texts, emails, letters, photographs, tenancy documents, notices, council correspondence and accounts from people who witnessed events.
Who should I report landlord harassment to?
In England, you can contact your local council about suspected harassment or illegal eviction. If there are threats, violence or an immediate attempt to remove you or your belongings unlawfully, contact the police.
Can landlord harassment be a criminal offence?
Yes. The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes certain forms of unlawful eviction and harassment criminal offences.
Can I get my rent back after landlord harassment?
In some circumstances, a tenant may be eligible for a rent repayment order. Eligibility depends on the offence and other legal requirements, so professional advice should be obtained before relying on this remedy.
Conclusion
Landlord harassment can range from repeated intimidation and unwanted interference to cutting off services or attempting to force a tenant out without following the law. The most important step is to recognise the behaviour and start documenting it carefully.
If you are experiencing a problem, keep your communications and tenancy documents, maintain a clear incident log, and seek help from your local council, Citizens Advice, Shelter or a qualified legal adviser. If there is violence, a threat of violence or an immediate illegal eviction, seek urgent police assistance.
The rules for private renting in England changed significantly on 1 May 2026, including the abolition of section 21 “no-fault” evictions for the affected assured tenancies.