Private rent

Do not end your tenancy if you have nowhere to go. If you leave when it was reasonable for you to stay, we may find you intentionally homeless. This means you will not get a full homeless service.

You can read advice about ending tenancies on the Scottish Government website. Shelter Scotland have advice and tools to help you.

Being evicted

There are rules your landlord must follow if they want to end your tenancy, including:

• the reasons they can use – called eviction grounds
• the notice period they must give you
• the form they must use to give you written notice

If you get a Notice to Leave or Notice to Quit and think you will have nowhere to stay, contact our housing options team as soon as possible.

You do not need to leave your home when the notice period ends. Your landlord cannot:

• force you out
• change the locks

They need an Eviction Order from the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). This applies to all evictions, whatever the grounds or tenancy type.

We advise all tenants to stay in their home until the tribunal issues an Eviction Order.

Eviction documents

Your landlord must give you the correct notice:

• Private residential tenancy – Notice to Leave (notice period depends on eviction grounds)
• Short assured tenancy – Notice to Quit and Section 33 Notice (minimum 2 months, may be longer if stated in your agreement)
• Assured tenancy – Notice to Quit and Notice of Proceedings (AT6) (notice period depends on eviction grounds)

You do not need to leave after the notice period ends. Your landlord cannot evict you without an Eviction Order.

Challenging an eviction

You should not leave your home if:

• the paperwork is wrong
• the eviction grounds are wrong (for example, you are accused of anti-social behaviour but have not behaved that way)
• you believe the landlord does not intend to sell the property
• you believe eviction is not reasonable (for example, you can repay rent arrears soon)

Your landlord must apply for an Eviction Order before they can remove you. You can challenge this at the tribunal. If the tribunal refuses the order, you can stay in your home.

Get advice from:

• our homeless team
• Shelter Scotland
• Citizens Advice Scotland

Harassment and illegal eviction

Harassment and illegal eviction are crimes. Police Scotland will take action if there is evidence.

To report a crime:

• phone 101
• in an emergency, phone 999