What to Do If Your Landlord Changes Locks Without Warning
What it means legally, what to do straight away, and how to get back into your home.
If you’ve come home to find the locks have been changed without warning, this is almost certainly illegal. In the UK, a landlord cannot evict you or exclude you from your home without a court order. Here’s what to do.
At a glance
- Changing the locks without a court order is illegal in the UK and constitutes unlawful eviction.
- You have the right to re-enter your home. Your landlord cannot exclude you from a property you’re renting without following the correct legal process.
- Contact your landlord first, but if they won’t cooperate, you can apply to court for an injunction to regain access.
- Unlawful eviction is a criminal offence. Your landlord could face prosecution and a compensation order.
- Free, urgent support is available through Shelter and Citizens Advice.
Is it legal for a landlord to change the locks?
No, not without following the correct legal process. Under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, it is a criminal offence for a landlord to unlawfully deprive a tenant of their occupation of a property. This includes changing the locks, removing your belongings, or making the property inaccessible to you without a court order.
To legally end a tenancy and require you to leave, your landlord must:
- Serve the correct notice under the terms of your tenancy
- Apply to court for a possession order if you don’t leave voluntarily
- Enforce that possession order through court bailiffs
No court order means no legal right to remove you. If your landlord has changed the locks without going through this process, they are breaking the law regardless of any claim they make about rent arrears or breach of tenancy.
Step 1: Check your tenancy agreement
Read through your tenancy agreement to understand the terms and confirm your right to occupy the property. Note the type of tenancy you’re on, as this affects the notice period your landlord would need to give before seeking possession.
Step 2: Contact your landlord in writing
Contact your landlord straight away. Put it in writing, by email or text, so there’s a clear record. State clearly that you require access to your home, that you have not been served with a court order, and that you consider the lock change to be unlawful.
Keep calm and factual in your communication. Note the date, time, and content of all exchanges. This record will be important if the matter escalates.
If your landlord has a genuine reason for the lock change, such as an emergency repair that required temporary access, give them the opportunity to explain. But if they refuse to restore your access, move to the next step immediately.
Step 3: Get urgent advice
This situation is urgent and you should get advice as quickly as possible.
- Shelter provides free, specialist housing advice and has an emergency helpline for people who have been unlawfully evicted. Call 0808 800 4444.
- Citizens Advice can advise you on your rights and help you understand your options.
- Your local council has a legal duty to assist people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless as a result of unlawful eviction. Contact the housing department directly.
- Legal aid may be available if you need a solicitor. Check eligibility at gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
Step 4: Apply to court for an injunction
If your landlord refuses to restore your access, you can apply to the county court for an injunction requiring them to do so. This can be done urgently, and courts take unlawful eviction seriously. In many cases, an emergency hearing can be arranged within 24 hours.
A solicitor or housing adviser can help you make the application. If you qualify for legal aid, this support can be provided at no cost to you.
In addition to regaining access, you may be entitled to claim compensation from your landlord for the distress and inconvenience caused by the unlawful eviction. The court can also refer the matter to the police or local authority for criminal prosecution.
What about your belongings?
If your belongings are inside the property and you can’t access them, this is also unlawful. Your landlord cannot retain or dispose of your possessions. Raise this as part of any court application and with your housing adviser.
If any of your belongings have been damaged or lost as a result of the situation, your contents insurance may cover the cost of replacement. With Lemonade’s contents insurance, theft and damage to your personal belongings is covered for insured events.
Before we go
Having your locks changed without warning is a serious matter, and the law is firmly on your side. Act quickly, contact your landlord in writing, get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice straight away, and apply to court if your landlord won’t cooperate. You don’t have to accept being locked out of your home.
Can my landlord legally lock me out?
No. Changing the locks without a court order is unlawful eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and is a criminal offence. Your landlord must follow the correct legal process, including serving notice and obtaining a court possession order, before you can be required to leave the property.
What should I do if I've been illegally evicted?
Contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444 for immediate advice. You can also contact your local council’s housing department, which has a legal duty to assist people at risk of homelessness due to unlawful eviction. If your landlord won’t restore your access, apply to the county court for an injunction. Keep a written record of everything from the moment you discover the lock has been changed.
How can I prove my landlord acted illegally?
Document everything: the date you discovered the locks had been changed, any communication with your landlord, and evidence of your tenancy such as your agreement, rent receipts, or bank statements showing rent payments. Photos of the changed lock and any belongings left inside the property are also useful. This evidence supports both a court application and any compensation claim.
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