A landlord changing the locks without a court order, threatening you to leave, or ignoring a broken boiler in winter isn't something you have to just accept — and it isn't something you need thousands of pounds in legal fees to fight either. Shelter's free helpline exists specifically for situations like this.
Illegal eviction and harassment are criminal offences — with real limits worth knowing
Under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, deliberately depriving a tenant of their home without following the correct legal process is a criminal offence, and so is persistent harassment intended to make you leave — this includes withdrawing services like water or electricity, or repeatedly disturbing your peaceful occupation of the property. It's worth being realistic about how this plays out in practice, though: individual prosecutions are relatively rare and can be slow. Most successful cases go through the local authority (which has the power to prosecute) rather than the tenant bringing a case personally, and the police's day-to-day response varies — Shelter's guidance suggests reminding officers on the scene that this is specifically a criminal matter under Section 1 of the Act if they treat it as a civil dispute.
What Shelter's helpline actually does
Shelter's advisers give free, genuinely expert housing guidance — but it's worth being precise that this is advice and support, not the same as hiring a solicitor to represent you in court. What they can do: help you understand exactly what's happening to you legally, provide template letters and notices, and — where your situation qualifies — help you access legal aid solicitors who can take formal action on your behalf. Call:
0808 800 4444 — free from UK landlines and major mobile networks, open 8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 8am–5pm on weekends.
What to do in the moment, alongside calling Shelter
- If your landlord is at the property right now trying to force you out, call the police on 999 if you're in immediate danger, or 101 for a non-emergency — and tell them clearly that this is a criminal matter under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, not a civil dispute, if they seem uncertain.
- Ask for a crime reference or CAD number so you can follow up on the report later.
- Report the situation to your local council's private sector housing or tenancy relations team — councils have enforcement powers, including the ability to prosecute landlords themselves.
- Keep a dated log of every incident: messages, calls, visits, and anything withheld (keys, utilities, repairs).
A note on eviction notices specifically
If your situation involves a formal eviction notice rather than outright harassment, be aware that the rules changed significantly on 1 May 2026: "no-fault" Section 21 evictions have been abolished in England, and landlords must now cite a specific legal ground under Section 8 to evict anyone. If you've received a notice that doesn't name a valid ground, or claims a type of notice that no longer exists, that's exactly the kind of detail Shelter's helpline can confirm quickly.