What is landlord harassment?

Landlord harassment is any behaviour by a landlord intended to interfere with your peace, comfort, or right to quiet enjoyment of the property, or designed to pressure you into leaving. It's a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Harassment can take many forms, and it doesn't have to involve violence or threats. It includes any deliberate action by your landlord designed to make your life difficult or pressure you into leaving, which amounts to a backdoor eviction. Common examples include repeated unannounced visits, entering the property without permission, verbal abuse or threats, withholding services like heating or hot water, interfering with your mail, and making excessive or unnecessary noise during works.

Your right to quiet enjoyment means your landlord must leave you to live in the property peacefully. If they're deliberately disrupting that, it's harassment.

Harassment is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Your local council's tenancy relations officer can investigate and take action, and the police can be involved in serious cases. You can also take civil action for damages in the county court, and apply for a rent repayment order through the First-tier Tribunal.

Frequently asked questions

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What counts as landlord harassment?

Any behaviour intended to interfere with your use of the property or pressure you into leaving, including unannounced visits, threats, utility disconnections, entering without permission, and verbal abuse. The key test is whether the behaviour is deliberate and designed to disrupt your tenancy.
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Where do I report landlord harassment?

Contact your local council's tenancy relations officer, who has specific powers to investigate and intervene. In serious cases, contact the police. Keep a written record of every incident as evidence.
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Can I claim compensation for landlord harassment?

Yes, you can take civil action in the county court for damages, and if the harassment amounts to illegal eviction, you can also apply for a rent repayment order through the First-tier Tribunal.
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