Support for Tenants

Glossary

Retaliatory eviction

Plain-English definition

An eviction carried out because a tenant complained about repairs or reported the landlord to authorities. Retaliatory eviction is unlawful. If a landlord tries to evict you soon after you raise a legitimate complaint, the eviction may be blocked by a court.

Where it comes from in law

  • Retaliatory eviction protections, Your landlord cannot lawfully evict you for raising a disrepair complaint. The law protects you whether you rent socially or privately.

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By: Support for Tenants editorial team

Last updated:

Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 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.

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