Eviction

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

Landlords have to follow special legal procedures in order to evict tenants. This section tells you about the procedures they must follow and what your rights are. It also has advice on what to do if you are facing eviction.

Whether you can be evicted and how will depend on what kind of tenancy you have. Check your tenancy type here if you aren't sure.

If your landlord has told you to leave, get advice immediately. Use the Advice Services Directory to find a Shelter advice centre, Citizens Advice or other local advice centre in your area. Read the Help! page to find out more about what you can do if your landlord is trying to evict you.

Help! I'm being evicted

This page tells you what you can do if your landlord has asked you to leave your home, and looks at how you can get help.

Preventing eviction

There are several things you can do to prevent eviction. This page has some practical suggestions.

Eviction of council tenants

Councils have to follow certain procedures to evict tenants. Check what you can do to avoid eviction. This includes their temporary homeless accommodation.

Eviction from housing association/co-op

Housing associations and housing co-ops have to follow special legal procedures to evict their tenants. This is the same legal procedure that councils must follow.

Eviction of private tenants

Before a private landlord or letting agency can evict you from your home, they have to follow special procedures. This section explains when you can be evicted and the steps that must be followed.

Eviction of common law tenants

If you have a common law tenancy, you still have some protection against eviction. You will probably be a common law tenant if you share your accommodation with your landlord, live in university halls of residence or are staying in temporary accommodation arranged by the council.

Eviction from a mobile home

If you rent or own a mobile home and rent a pitch to station it on, you will have some protection against eviction. Check what you can do if your landlord or the site owner asks you to leave.

Eviction of agricultural tenants

Your rights will depend on the kind of tenancy you have and what stage your lease is at when you are asked to leave.

Eviction of agricultural occupiers

This page explains your rights if you are an agricultural worker and live in tied accommodation (provided as part of your job) and your employment comes to an end.

Eviction of crofting tenants

In certain circumstances, crofters can be evicted. Find out what your rights are and what you might be able to do to avoid eviction from your croft.

Eviction of other tenants

For subtenants, students in halls, if your home comes with your job, council temporary housing, a hostel or refuge, supported accommodation or you live with friends or relatives.

Eviction if you're disabled

If you have a disability, you have extra protection against eviction. This is to prevent your landlord from treating you unfairly because of your disability.

Eviction of Gypsies/Travellers

Your rights if you're a Gypsy/Traveller and have been asked to leave a site.Explains your rights on different sites, and looks at what you can do if the police get involved.

Going to court for eviction

What happens if your landlord applies for an order to evict you. It includes information about the summons from the sheriff court, what happens in court and decisions the court can make.

Sheriff officers

Most tenants can only be evicted if their landlord gets an eviction order from the court. Your landlord still doesn't have the right to make you leave, but they can get sheriff officers to evict you.

Illegal eviction and harassment

Illegal eviction is when a landlord tries to evict a tenant without following the correct procedure. Find out more about illegal eviction here.

Eviction due to demolition or compulsory purchase

If your landlord has a notice and they must demolish your home, or it will be bought by a public authority, you will probably have to move out.You still have rights and may be due compensation.

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