Eviction by a private landlord

Eviction by a private landlord quick links: 

  1. Eviction of periodic standard contract-holders
  2. Eviction of fixed term standard contract-holders
  3.  Court action

Private landlords must follow legal procedures to evict contract-holders. They sometimes need a legal reason (known as a ‘ground’) to evict you but in many cases they don’t. 

If moved into your before 1 December 2022 the information on this page doesn’t apply to you. Please see our advice about converted occupation contracts and eviction.  

The rules on eviction are different depending on what type of renting agreement you have. Most people renting from a private landlord have a periodic standard contract or a fixed term standard contract, but there are some exceptions to this. Find out more in Renting from a private landlord. 

In some situations, there are different rules about how a fixed term standard contract can be ended even if you moved in on or after 1 December 2022. For example, if you have a fixed term standard contract and live in your home as part of your job, your landlord may only have to give 2 months’ notice. You can find out more about these exceptions here. 

 If you receive a notice or your landlord has started court action you should get help immediately from an adviser. You might be able to stop or delay the eviction. Even if the bailiffs are on the way, it’s never too late to get help. 

Are you under 25? 

If you are under 25, and worried about being evicted, take a look at our Eviction advice page, specifically put together for young people. 

Eviction of fixed term standard contract-holders

If you are a fixed term standard contract-holder, a private landlord can’t evict you during the fixed term unless you have breached the contract. You can only be evicted if the landlord gets a court order.

More Info

Eviction of periodic standard contract-holders

If you are a periodic standard contract-holder, a private landlord might not have to give a reason to evict you but they must give you the correct notice and get a court order.

More Info

Eviction of excluded occupiers

If your landlord lives in the same property as you and you share some facilities you are an excluded occupier and can be evicted very easily. Your landlord does not have to get a court order.

More Info

Eviction of occupiers with basic protection

In some rare situations you could be classed as an occupier with basic protection. Your landlord must still follow the correct procedure to evict you.

More Info

Eviction of regulated tenants

If your contract has been changed by a court because of anti-social behaviour, your community landlord can evict you as long as they follow the procedure correctly.

More Info

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Yn anffodus, ni allwn ddarparu'r wybodaeth hon yn Gymraeg. Mae cyfieithiad Cymraeg ar gael trwy'r ddolen Cymorth Clyweledol ar frig y dudalen. Fodd bynnag, ni fydd y cyfieithiad yn gwbl gywir bob amser gan ei fod yn cael ei gynhyrchu'n awtomatig
Unfortunately, we cannot provide this information in Welsh. There is a Welsh translation available via the Audio Visual Help link at the top of the page. However, these will not always be completely accurate as they are automatically generated.

This page was last updated on: April 25, 2023

Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.