Eviction from your home

Landlords and letting agents have to follow specific legal procedures to evict tenants. This section tells you about the eviction process and what your rights are. It also has advice on what to do if you are facing eviction.

If your landlord can evict you and what they have to do will depend on what kind of tenancy you have. Check your tenancy type if you aren't sure.

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I'm being evicted, what can I do?

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.

Illegal eviction and landlord harassment

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

How to prevent or stop an eviction

Whatever stage eviction proceedings are at, here's what you can do to delay, stop or prevent an eviction if your tenancy is at risk. You may also be able to be rehoused by the council if you are at risk of homelessness.

Being evicted from social rented housing

Social rented housing is housing provided by councils, housing associations and housing co-ops. They have to follow special legal procedures to evict tenants. This section explains these procedures and what you may be able to do to prevent the eviction. It also explains your rights if you are facing eviction from temporary homeless accommodation.

Eviction from registered social landlord property

Registered social landlords and housing co-ops have to follow the correct procedures to evict their tenants.

Eviction of private tenants

Check the eviction process private landlords must follow to evict you from your tenancy. For assured tenants, short assured tenants and regulated tenants.

Eviction of common law tenants

Common law tenants live with their landlord, in halls or stay in council temporary accommodation. Check your tenancy rights against eviction as a common law tenant.

Eviction from a mobile home

If you rent or own a mobile home and rent a pitch, you will have some protection against eviction. Check what you can do if you are asked to leave.

Eviction from an agricultural tenancy

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

Your housing rights as an agricultural worker if you live in tied accommodation (provided as part of your job) and your employment finishes.

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 kinds of 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.

Can a disabled person be evicted?

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 and Rights 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 over an eviction order

What if your landlord applies for an eviction order? From the summons the sheriff court sends you, to what happens in eviction court and what decisions the court can make.

Eviction by 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.

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.

Last updated: 9 April 2018