Landlords usually have to follow legal procedures before you can be evicted. If your landlord doesn't follow the correct legal procedure, s/he could be carrying out an illegal eviction. This is a criminal offence.

Whether your landlord can evict you and how depends on the type of tenancy you have.

I'm being evicted

Your landlord normally can't just ask you to leave your home. There are steps landlords usually must take before you have to leave. More

Preventing eviction

You may be able to stay in your home even if your landlord has asked you to leave. An adviser may be able to suggest ways in which you can delay or prevent the eviction so that you can continue to stay in your home. More

Illegal eviction

Most private tenants can only be evicted if their landlord gets a possession order from the court. If your landlord has evicted you without following the correct procedure this may be illegal. Illegal eviction is a serious civil and criminal offence. More

Housing Executive tenants

The Housing Executive will usually only evict you as a last resort. You will usually only be evicted if you break your tenancy agreement. More

Housing association tenants

Most housing associations have to follow the same legal procedure as the Housing Executive before evicting you. More

Eviction of private tenants

Your landlord must follow special procedures before evicting you from your home. The rules on eviction are different depending on the type of tenancy you have. More

Eviction of other kinds of tenants

How easily your landlord can evict you depends on the kind of tenancy you have. If you are a licensee your landlord can evict you very easily. More

Going to court to be evicted

Legally your landlord usually has to go to court before evicting you. If you have broken the terms of your tenancy agreement it may be better to leave before going to court, as you are likely to have to pay your landlord's fees. More

After going to court

Your landlord must apply to the Enforcement of Judgments Office before you have to leave your home. There are a number of stages during this procedure. You may be able to avoid having to leave your home. More

Image 1 Ronald Hudson