Can my landlord evict me for reporting disrepair?
No. Evicting you, or trying to, because you reported disrepair is called retaliatory eviction, and the law protects you from it. Social housing tenants have strong security of tenure. For private tenants, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 banned Section 21 no-fault evictions from May 2026, so your landlord must now show a specific lawful ground to evict you, not simply react to a complaint.
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Key facts
- Evicting you because you complained about repairs (retaliatory eviction) is unlawful.
- Social housing tenants have strong security of tenure and cannot be evicted simply for reporting disrepair.
- For private tenants, Section 21 no-fault eviction was banned by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 from May 2026.
- Your landlord must now show a specific lawful ground to evict you; reporting a repair is not one.
- Reporting disrepair in writing also protects any claim, by fixing the date your landlord was told.
What retaliatory eviction is
Retaliatory eviction is when a landlord tries to evict a tenant, or threatens to, because the tenant has complained about disrepair or asked for repairs. The law treats this as unlawful and gives tenants protection against it, so that asking for a safe home does not cost you that home.
Protection for private tenants: the end of Section 21
For years private landlords could evict with no reason using a Section 21 no-fault notice, and some used it to punish tenants who complained. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 banned Section 21 from May 2026. Your landlord must now rely on a specific lawful ground to seek possession, and a repair complaint is not one of them.
What to do if you are threatened with eviction after complaining
Do not stop pursuing the repair. Keep written records of every complaint and any eviction notice or threat, and get advice quickly. We can help you take the disrepair forward, and proper records make any retaliatory eviction much harder for a landlord to justify.
Related questions
Is it legal for my landlord to evict me for asking for repairs?
No. Evicting a tenant because they reported disrepair is retaliatory eviction, and the law protects tenants against it.
Can a council or housing association evict me for complaining?
No. Social tenants usually have strong security of tenure and cannot be evicted simply for reporting disrepair.
Has Section 21 been abolished?
Yes. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 banned Section 21 no-fault eviction from May 2026, so a private landlord must now show a specific lawful ground to evict.
Should I keep reporting repairs if I am worried about eviction?
Yes. Report in writing and keep copies. The law protects you from retaliatory eviction, and the records also support any disrepair claim.
Sources and legislation
If your landlord has left repairs undone, we can take it forward for you. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Published:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 20 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.