Urgent Support

When You Need to Get Urgent Telephone Support

Some situations cannot wait. If you are facing any of the scenarios below, do not rely on templates alone — pick up the phone.

Urgent Situations

These situations require immediate action

If any of the following apply to you right now, call us before doing anything else. Timing is critical in each of these scenarios.

🚨 Act Immediately

You have been given a notice to leave within 24–48 hours

An unlawful eviction or illegal lockout is a criminal offence. Your landlord cannot physically remove you without a court order regardless of circumstances.

🚨 Act Immediately

Your landlord has changed the locks or removed your belongings

This is illegal eviction. It is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. You have the right to re-enter your home.

⚡ Act Within 24 Hours

You have received a court summons or possession hearing date

If you have a court date for a possession hearing, you must respond. Ignoring it will result in a possession order being granted by default.

⚡ Act Within 24 Hours

Your utilities have been cut off by the landlord

Cutting off gas, electricity, or water is illegal harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act. This is a criminal offence with serious penalties.

⚡ Act Within 24 Hours

You are being threatened or harassed by your landlord

Landlord harassment — including persistent calls, threats, or intimidating behaviour — is a criminal offence. You do not have to tolerate it.

⚡ Act Within 48 Hours

There is a serious health and safety hazard in your home

Structural damage, gas leaks, severe mould, or dangerous electrics require immediate action. Under Awaab’s Law, landlords must act within 24 hours for emergencies.

Not An Emergency?

These situations can be handled through membership

If your situation is not an emergency, our templates, guides, and situation review service are exactly what you need.

01

Deposit not returned after moving out

You have 6 years to make a deposit claim. Use our Deposit Demand Letter to start the formal process.

Use Deposit Return Demand Letter→

02

Landlord has raised your rent

You have 28 days from the date of the notice to challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal — no rush, but do not ignore it.

Use Rent Challenge Letter + Tribunal Guide→

03

Repairs not being done

Send a formal written repair request first. This starts the Awaab’s Law clock and creates a legal paper trail.

Use Formal Repair Request Letter→

04

Received a Section 8 notice

You do not have to leave immediately. Check the grounds stated and the notice period before taking any action.

Use Eviction Response Pack→

05

Discrimination from landlord or agent

Document everything first. Our evidence checklist will help you build a formal complaint step by step.

Use Discrimination Evidence Checklist→

06

Not sure what your situation is

Submit a Situation Review. Tell us what happened and we will map your issue and outline your options in plain English.

Submit a Situation Review→

Common questions

Quick answers

My landlord has changed the locks — what are my rights?

This is illegal eviction and a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Your landlord cannot physically remove you or change the locks without a court order. You have the legal right to re-enter your home and should seek urgent support immediately.

My landlord is threatening to evict me in 24 hours — is this legal?

No. A landlord cannot remove you from your home within 24–48 hours without going through the court process. Any notice demanding you leave that quickly is unlawful. Do not leave voluntarily — seek urgent telephone support before taking any action.

My landlord has cut off my gas, electricity, or water — what can I do?

Cutting off utilities is illegal harassment under the Protection from Eviction Act and is a criminal offence carrying serious penalties. This requires action within 24 hours. Contact the team directly rather than relying on letters or templates alone.

I have received a court summons for a possession hearing — what should I do?

You must respond — ignoring a court possession hearing will result in a possession order being granted against you by default. This is a within-24-hours situation. Call for urgent support to understand your options before the hearing date.

My landlord is harassing me — does that count as a criminal offence?

Yes. Landlord harassment — including persistent calls, threats, intimidating behaviour, or entering your home without permission — is a criminal offence. You do not have to tolerate it. Seek urgent advice and start documenting every incident immediately.

There is a gas leak or serious structural damage in my home — what is my landlord required to do?

Under Awaab’s Law, landlords must respond to genuine housing emergencies within 24 hours. Serious hazards including gas leaks, dangerous electrics, or structural damage require immediate action. If your landlord is unresponsive, escalate urgently and contact your local council’s environmental health team.

Speak to Our Team Directly

Our team is available to talk through urgent situations, help you understand your immediate options, and point you to the right next step.

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