You’ll get a decision letter from the tribunal. It should explain the reasons for the eviction and the date when the order can be enforced.

If you do not leave by the date on the eviction order, only sheriff officers can remove you from the property.

If you were wrongfully evicted, you could get compensation.

After the date on your eviction order

Your landlord can ask sheriff officers to remove you.

Sheriff officers will give you a document called a charge for removing. The letter will say a date and time you must leave by. You'll usually be given 14 days to leave.

If you do not move out in time

Sheriff officers can use reasonable force to remove you from the property. They can secure the property so that you cannot get back in.

Police officers can be there, but they cannot help the sheriff officers. They can arrest anyone who behaves violently.

Your housing options

Try to find a new home before the date the eviction order can be enforced.

Get homeless help from the council

You do not have to be living on the streets to be homeless. You're legally homeless if an eviction order has been granted and you no longer have the right to stay in your home. This applies even if you can stay with family or friends.

The council must offer you somewhere temporary to stay as soon as you need it.

Check our advice on making a homeless application.

If you’re not a British or Irish citizen your rights to homeless help could be different. Check our advice on how your immigration status affects your housing options.

Apply for social housing

Social housing is provided by councils, housing associations and housing cooperatives.

When you apply, tell them that an eviction order has been granted. This will give you higher priority on the housing waitlist.

Check our advice on applying for social housing.

Find another private rented home

You can be asked for a tenancy deposit up to 2 months’ rent.

Check our advice on finding a private rented home.

Compensation if you were wrongfully evicted

If you were evicted from a private residential tenancy under a false ground, you can apply for a wrongful termination order to get compensation.

Get proof if you believe the eviction order was granted based on false information, or you were misled into moving out. For example, if you were evicted because:

• the landlord wanted to move in but you’ve noticed the property is up for sale

• the landlord wanted to sell but they have rented the tenancy out to new tenants

Take screenshots or print online advertisements for the property to support your application for compensation.

Check our advice on applying for a wrongful termination order.