Problems With Your Landlord

The Advice Team is a professional service always here to help you resolve your problems.

Harassment

Harassment can occur when the landlord or someone connected with the landlord interferes with your right to live quietly and safely in your own home. As a tenant you are legally entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home. Harassment does not always have to be extreme and can include actions such as:

Stopping the supply of gas, electricity or water to your property
Refusing to do repairs
Frequent unannounced visits, especially if late at night
Entering your home when you are not there, without your permission
Making threats and/or telling you to leave

Illegal eviction

This occurs when the landlord has not followed the correct legal procedure in order to evict you. Unless you share part of your accommodation with your landlord, (such as bathroom, kitchen and living areas) you can only be forced from your home via the County Court bailiffs. Your landlord has to serve prior notice to you that they intend to seek possession and then follow the correct legal procedure in order to obtain an eviction warrant through the courts.

Examples of illegal eviction can include:

Changing the locks while you are out
Being physically thrown out
Prevented from getting into part or all of your home

If you feel you are being harassed or think you may have been illegally evicted contact the Advice Centre or the Private Tenancy Team at Birmingham City Council who have legal powers, which allow for action to be taken against the landlord.