My landlord changed the locks without notice, what can I do?

Changing the locks while you are still a tenant — without a court order — is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. It constitutes unlawful eviction, and your landlord can be prosecuted by the local authority and face an unlimited fine or up to two years' imprisonment.

You also have a civil right of action. You can apply to the county court for an injunction requiring your landlord to re-admit you to the property, typically on an emergency basis (sometimes same day). You may also claim damages, which can be substantial: courts can award the difference between the market rental value of the property and the rent you were paying, calculated over the period of the unlawful eviction.

Your immediate steps should be: (1) contact your local council's housing enforcement or tenancy relations officer — they can act quickly; (2) call the police, as this is a criminal matter and they can sometimes persuade a landlord to restore access; (3) seek urgent legal advice from a housing solicitor, as emergency injunctions can be obtained rapidly.

Do not break in yourself, even though you are legally entitled to do so, as this can complicate matters. Keep all evidence: photographs of changed locks, messages from the landlord, records of being excluded.

This protection applies to assured shorthold tenants and most other residential tenants. It does not matter whether there is a written tenancy agreement — if you occupy the property as your home, these protections apply.