Your landlord will be guilty of harassment by acting in a way that is likely to make you leave the property. Contact a local advice agency if you think your landlord is harassing you.

• Why does harassment happen?
  
• Who can be guilty of harassment?
  
• What can I do about harassment?
  

Why does harassment happen?

A landlord usually harasses a tenant to force the tenant to leave. For example, the landlord may want to sell the property and its value is much higher without a sitting tenant. The landlord may be unwilling or unable to use legal procedures to get the tenant to leave. For example, the tenant has a protected tenancy and there are no grounds for possession.

The landlord will usually try to make life so uncomfortable for the tenant, that the tenant leaves voluntarily. Harassment includes a landlord's threats or doing extensive building work and cutting off services such as water or electricity.

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Who can be guilty of harassment?

Harassment can only be carried out by your landlord or someone acting for your landlord, like an estate agent or a builder. Legally your landlord or the agent will only be legally responsible if the behaviour is intended to stop you living peacefully in your home. For example:

• harassment because of your race,
• harassment because of your gender,
• harassment because of your sexuality,
• harassment because of your religion,
• constantly calling round late at night or without warning,
• threatening you,
• entering your home when you're not there or without your permission,
• allowing your home to get into such a bad state of repair that it's dangerous for you to stay,
• leaving building works unfinished,
• sending in builders without notice,
• insisting that you sign agreements that reduce your rights.

Your landlord or agent won't be guilty of harassment if it can be proved that there was a good reason for carrying out the actions. However, some actions are so serious your landlord will be guilty of harassing you even if they have a good reason for their actions. For example, cutting off or restricting services such as hot water or heating.

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What can I do about harassment?

Don't wait until the harassment is obvious or intentional before acting. You can:

• ask your landlord to stop,
• keep evidence of what happens,
• go to an advice centre for help,
• ask your landlord to put all communication with you in writing,
• write to the landlord saying if the harassment continues you will take legal action.

If you are still having problems you are best to contact the Environmental Health Depts of your local council.

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