Warning for landlords over DIY evictions.

LANDLORDS should seek professional help and not take the law into their own hands when evicting tenants, says Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm.

The rental market has been among the worst hit in the UK housing crash over the past year, with a rise in unemployment leading to an increase in rent arrears.

Subsequently, many landlords struggling to receive rent payments are left with no alternative but to evict their tenants. But many should think again before undertaking a DIY eviction.

Graham Kinnear, managing director at Landlord Assist, said: "Although many private landlords provide a good quality service to their tenants, there is a minority who believe that they are above the law and can evict tenants without taking the required steps.

"Landlords must ensure that they conduct tenant evictions within the con-fines of the law. The Protection from Eviction Act covers most tenancies and makes provisions that the landlord cannot evict tenants without a court order.

"The landlord is not permitted to make threats or inconvenience the tenant regardless of whether the rent is being paid."

A report from housing agency Threshold has revealed a huge rise in the number of tenants being illegally evicted.

In its latest report, the organisation said it had received reports of more than 1,000 threatened or actual cases of illegal eviction this year, compared to 674 throughout all of 2008.

Landlords should be aware that most local authorities have a department which can deal with issues of harassment and illegal eviction.

Mostwork on the basis that a tenant is entitled to occupy their home in peace and comfort. If the landlord does something to interfere with this it could constitute harassment.

AGENTS Examples could include the following: l Removing or restricting a tenant's essential services. l Entering the property without permission or prior notice. l Refusing to allow the tenant to have visitors. l Forcing the tenant to sign an agreement COVENTRY and curtains that reduces their legal rights. Examples of illegal eviction can include: l Changing the lock while the tenant is out. l Using violence or threats to force the tenant to leave.

502211 Call Landlord Assist on 08707 662288.

CAPTION(S):

ARREARS... Evictions are on the rise partly due to the credit crunch.