I am facing harassment and/or illegal eviction by my landlord

Harassment and illegal evictions are both criminal offences that can result in a fine or prison sentence.

Various actions can count as harassment, such as:

• Withdrawal of services e.g. stopping electricity/water/gas
• Withholding keys - If there are two or more tenants in the property and the landlord will only supply you with 1 key; this is a form of harassment. Try negotiating with your landlord for another key. If this fails, seek legal advice.
• Interfering with the peace and comfort of those living at the property - This may include:
  • Forcing tenants to sign agreements that remove their legal rights
  • Constantly visiting the property without a warning or during late hours in the night
  • Entering the property when tenants are not there and without seeking the tenant’s permission
  • Persistently offering the occupier money to leave
  • Stopping the tenants from having guests
  • Harassment related to tenant gender, race, disability or sexuality
• Anti-social behaviour by your landlord's agent - If the landlord intentionally moves in a friend/other tenants next door who cause disturbances, are a nuisance or commit anti-social behaviour which affects you.
• Forcing the tenants to refrain from exercising their legal rights and remedies associated with their tenancy - If the landlord:
  • forces the tenants to sign an agreement which reduces their rights
  • forces the tenants to temporarily give up their accommodation during repairs but does not provide tenants with any alternative accommodation
  • prevents the tenants from exercising any legal rights, for example reporting disrepair to an environmental health officer or going to a rent officer to get a fair rent registered.
• Demand for excessive repairs - ensure you check your tenancy agreement to see who is responsible for carrying out the repairs. If you are responsible, you may be eligible for an Improvement Grant.
• Failure to carry out repairs - If the landlord has been badly neglecting the property and/or is trying to drive the tenants out by not carrying out repairs.
• Repairs which are not completed - If the landlord has begun repairs and has not completed them causing the property to be unsuitable for tenants to live in.
• Threats and physical violence - If your landlord uses violent, sexually or racially abusive behaviour and/or uses language or physical behaviour that is threatening or violent against the tenants.