3. I'm being evicted - what should I do?
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
Firstly, it may be worth trying to negotiate with your landlord. If there has been a misunderstanding, or you have fallen behind with the rent, you may be able to come to an agreement.
If this isn't possible, your rights will depend on your circumstances, for example:
- whether you live with your landlord
- what papers you signed at the beginning of your tenancy
- whether you have broken any of the conditions of your tenancy agreement
- whether your tenancy has reached an end.
Check what kind of tenancy you have then go to the section on eviction and read the pages that relate to your tenancy type. This will tell you what your rights are. Remember, your landlord cannot evict you without following the correct legal procedure. In most cases, this means they must give you the correct amount of notice and get a court order.
If a landlord doesn't follow the correct procedure, or tries to force you out by making life difficult, they may be guilty of illegal eviction, which is a serious criminal offence.
If you're at all unsure, contact an adviser as soon as possible. You can do this by email, through our housing advice helpline or at your local advice centre. Getting advice may help you to delay the eviction, or even prevent it altogether.
