What is a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment?

The covenant of quiet enjoyment is a fundamental implied term in every tenancy agreement in England, regardless of whether it is written into the contract. It guarantees that the tenant can possess and use the property peacefully without unlawful interference from the landlord or anyone claiming through the landlord. In practice, this means the landlord may not enter the property without giving at least 24 hours' written notice (except in a genuine emergency), cannot harass the tenant by making excessive visits or sending threatening communications, and cannot take actions designed to make the tenant leave — such as removing doors, switching off utilities, or changing the locks while the tenant is in occupation. Any conduct that substantially interferes with the tenant's use of the property can amount to a breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment and may also constitute harassment or unlawful eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. If your landlord is breaching your right to quiet enjoyment, you can seek an injunction in the County Court to stop the behaviour, claim damages for any losses caused, and report the landlord to your local authority's housing enforcement team. Keeping a log of incidents (dates, times, and what happened) and any written communications is important for building your case.