Specialist housing solicitors advising tenants who face eviction threats, possession action, harassment or other retaliatory conduct after reporting disrepair or exercising their legal rights.
A revenge eviction, sometimes described as retaliatory eviction, can arise where a landlord threatens or pursues possession after a tenant has reported disrepair, raised concerns about unsafe housing conditions or exercised other legal rights.
Since 1 May 2026, Section 21 no-fault eviction has been abolished for private assured tenancies in England. A landlord seeking possession under the current regime must generally rely on an applicable statutory possession ground and follow the correct legal procedure.
The fact that possession action follows a repair complaint does not automatically make the proceedings invalid. However, the landlord’s stated possession ground, evidence, conduct, compliance with statutory obligations and any separate issues involving disrepair, harassment or unlawful eviction may all require careful consideration.
Knights & Shah Solicitors advises tenants facing possession action or landlord pressure following complaints about their housing conditions and can assess the notice, evidence and wider circumstances.
The expression “revenge eviction” is commonly used where a tenant believes a landlord is seeking possession or pressuring them to leave because they complained about the condition of the property or exercised a legal right.
Warning signs may include:
Whether the landlord’s conduct gives rise to a defence, counterclaim or separate legal remedy will depend on the circumstances.
The legal landscape changed significantly on 1 May 2026 when Section 21 no-fault eviction was abolished for private assured tenancies in England.
Landlords seeking possession under the current regime must rely on an applicable statutory ground and comply with the relevant notice and court requirements.
A tenant who receives a possession notice after reporting disrepair should therefore obtain advice on the particular ground being relied upon, the evidence supporting it and whether there are separate issues involving disrepair, harassment, discrimination or other unlawful landlord conduct.
Tenants frequently face retaliation after reporting:
• Damp, mould, leaks and structural issues
• Faulty electrics or gas safety concerns
• Broken heating or hot water
• Pest infestations
• Dangerous flooring or stairs
• Fire risks or unsafe living conditions
• Overcrowding or hazards under the HHSRS rules
• Landlord harassment or unlawful entry
Where possession action follows shortly after complaints about these conditions, the notice, possession ground and surrounding circumstances should be reviewed carefully.
If you receive a possession notice after reporting disrepair, it is important to establish:
We can review the notice together with the tenancy documents, repair history and correspondence and advise on the appropriate response.
Retaliatory eviction and harassment often overlap.
Harassment by a landlord includes:
• Repeated unannounced visits
• Shutting off gas, water, electricity
• Removing doors, windows or essential facilities
• Pressure, intimidation or threats
• Entering unlawfully
• Attempting to force you to leave
These behaviours are criminal offences and can result in:
• Injunctions
• Compensation
• Criminal prosecution
• Damages for distress and inconvenience
Where threats of eviction are accompanied by intimidation, unlawful entry, interference with utilities, lock changes or attempts to force a tenant to leave without the required legal process, separate issues of harassment or unlawful eviction may arise.
If you suspect retaliation:
• Do not ignore the notice
• Keep all emails, messages, repair reports
• Request written confirmation of repairs raised
• Take photos and videos of disrepair
• Let us review the eviction notice urgently
Early legal advice can help identify defects in the proposed possession action and establish what steps should be taken before court proceedings progress.
Depending on the circumstances, legal options may include:
The appropriate remedy will depend on the possession ground relied upon and the wider circumstances.
Knights & Shah Solicitors also advises landlords accused of retaliatory conduct. We can review the possession ground relied upon, notice requirements, repair history, council involvement and correspondence and advise on responding to allegations of harassment, disrepair or improper motive.
Clients come to us because:
• Every case is handled by an experienced solicitor
• We act fast in urgent eviction matters
• Our knowledge of landlord duties is comprehensive
• We provide clear, decisive legal strategies
• Our drafting and evidence preparation is meticulous
• We pursue the best available outcome through negotiation or court representation
You receive tailored support from a team that deals with housing law disputes every single day.
If you believe your landlord is trying to evict you because you requested repairs or raised safety concerns, our solicitors can step in immediately. Contact us for a confidential, solicitor-led assessment and clear advice on your next steps.
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