Illegal eviction

Illegal eviction is when someone, who doesn't have the legal right to make you leave, forces you to leave your home. This can include your landlord if they do not have an eviction order from the First-tier Tribunal. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence. Coronavirus does not change this.

You might be illegally evicted if:

• your landlord changes the locks
• your landlord stops you from getting into your home
• your landlord makes life so uncomfortable for you that you are forced to leave your home (for example by continually turning up at your home late at night or cutting off your water, gas or electricity)
• you are physically removed from the property by a person who is not a Sheriff Officer

If your landlord tries to force you out of your home, tell them in writing that this is illegal.

Keep a diary and collect evidence of all your landlord's actions against you. For example, any photographs, emails and letters. This will help if you need to take your landlord to court at a later date.

If your landlord threatens to illegally evict you then report this to the police immediately. You can call the police on 101.

If you are being physically threatened or forced out of your home by your landlord, call 999.

Find more information on illegal eviction and landlord harassment on the Shelter Scotland website.