If you are a tenant of a housing association and threatened with eviction, speak to an adviser immediately. Whatever type of tenancy you have, a housing association should only evict its tenants as a last resort.

Even if the bailiffs are on the way, it’s never too late to get help.

Call Shelter Cymru’s expert housing advice helpline or send them an email. If you prefer, visit advice near you to find a local Shelter Cymru advice surgery where you can talk to someone in person. You may be able to get legal aid so that a Shelter Cymru adviser can come to court with you.

To evict you from a tenancy, the housing association must take 3 steps:

1. send you notice to leave
2. apply to the court for a possession order
3. ask the court to send bailiffs to evict you.

Before starting court action to evict you, the housing association must follow the rules set out in a special pre-action protocol.

The rules on eviction are different depending on what type of tenancy you have. Most housing association tenants have assured tenancies, but you could also have a secure, assured shorthold (starter) or demoted tenancy. Ask your housing association if you are not sure what type of tenant you are.

If you believe that:

• the housing association is wrong in what they say either in the notice, or in the court papers, or
• the notice does not comply with the rules, or
• the housing association has not followed the pre-action protocol, or
• that in all the circumstances it would not be reasonable for you to be evicted,

you may have grounds to defend the claim. This will depend on what type of tenancy you have and you should get advice immediately from an adviser.

We are sorry that we cannot provide this information in Welsh, however if you would like to speak to an adviser in Welsh please contact 0345 075 5005.