Can Police Remove Tenant UK? Understanding Police, Courts and Bailiffs

Can police remove a tenant in the UK? Understand when police can become involved in an eviction, why landlords normally need a court process and when authorised bailiffs are responsible for removing tenants in England.

Can the police remove a tenant?

Generally, the police do not carry out ordinary residential evictions for landlords.

For most assured periodic tenancies in England, a landlord must follow the correct possession process. Since 1 May 2026, landlords generally need a valid Section 8 ground, serve the correct notice and apply to court if the tenant does not leave. If a possession order is made and the tenant remains, the landlord can apply for a warrant of possession so that an authorised bailiff can carry out the eviction.

The police may become involved where there is a separate criminal or public-safety issue, but they are not normally the people who physically remove a tenant simply because the landlord wants possession.

When can the police become involved?

Police involvement may be appropriate where an eviction situation involves:

• Violence or threats of violence

• Criminal damage

• Assault

• Serious threats or intimidation

• A breach of the peace

• An alleged illegal eviction

• Other criminal activity connected with the dispute

GOV.UK advises tenants to contact the police where physical violence or threats are involved in an attempted illegal eviction.

This is different from asking the police to remove a tenant because they have overstayed after an ordinary possession notice.

Can a landlord call the police to remove a tenant?

A landlord can contact the police if they believe a crime has occurred, but that does not mean the police will remove the tenant.

For example, if a landlord says that a tenant has stopped paying rent, that is normally a possession and civil-law issue rather than a reason for police officers to physically evict the tenant.

The landlord generally needs to follow the applicable possession procedure instead.

Who actually removes a tenant after an eviction order?

For a standard assured periodic tenancy in England, the process normally moves from the landlord to the court and then to enforcement.

If the tenant does not leave after a possession order, the landlord can apply for a warrant of possession. Once the warrant is issued, a court-appointed bailiff can attend the property and carry out the eviction.

This distinction is important:

Police - deal with crimes and immediate safety issues.

Court - decides whether possession should be granted.

Court-appointed bailiff - enforces the possession order.

Can police remove a tenant for rent arrears?

Usually, no.

Rent arrears can provide a lawful ground for a landlord to seek possession, but the landlord must still follow the appropriate legal process.

Under the current England system, a landlord can use relevant Section 8 grounds where the tenant owes rent. If the tenant does not leave after the required notice, the landlord generally needs to apply to court for a possession order.

The existence of rent arrears does not normally give the landlord permission to call the police to physically remove the tenant.

What if the tenant refuses to leave after the court order?

If the tenant remains after the date specified in an outright possession order, the landlord can apply for a warrant of possession.

The court then issues an eviction notice with an appointment date. A bailiff carries out the eviction if the tenant has not left. GOV.UK states that tenants must generally receive at least 14 days' notice of the bailiff appointment.

A landlord should not attempt to take over the property by force while waiting for enforcement.

Can police stop an illegal eviction?

Potentially, yes.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence. If a landlord attempts to force a tenant out without following the correct procedure, particularly where threats or violence are involved, the police may become involved.

Examples of potentially unlawful conduct include:

• Physically forcing a tenant out

• Changing the locks unlawfully

• Removing the tenant's belongings

• Using threats to make the tenant leave

• Evicting without the required legal authority

GOV.UK states that landlords may be guilty of illegal eviction if they evict a tenant without the required warrant or writ, or use someone other than a court-appointed bailiff to carry out the eviction.

What should a tenant do if the landlord calls the police?

A tenant should remain calm and explain the situation clearly.

If the landlord claims that the tenant must leave immediately, the tenant can explain whether they have received a possession notice, court papers or a possession order.

If the situation involves threats, violence or an attempted unlawful eviction, the tenant should make this clear to the police and keep relevant evidence.

Tenants should also contact their local council or obtain specialist housing advice if they believe the landlord is attempting an illegal eviction. Councils can take enforcement action against landlords who harass or illegally evict tenants.

What landlords should do instead of calling the police

Where the problem is simply that a tenant will not leave, landlords should follow the proper possession route.

A sensible process is:

1. Identify the type of tenancy.

2. Establish the lawful ground for possession.

3. Serve the correct notice.

4. Allow the required notice period to expire.

5. Apply to court if the tenant remains.

6. Obtain a possession order.

7. Apply for a warrant if necessary.

8. Allow the authorised bailiff to enforce the eviction.

For landlords, trying to bypass these steps can turn an ordinary possession dispute into a potential illegal eviction or harassment allegation.

How Fraser Bond can support landlords

Managing a difficult tenancy requires more than simply knowing when a tenant should leave.

Fraser Bond supports landlords with property management, tenant communication, maintenance coordination and wider property operations across London and the UK.

For landlords dealing with rent arrears, tenancy disputes, property damage or possession issues, having an organised management process can help ensure problems are documented and handled through the appropriate channels.

Where specialist legal advice is required, landlords should obtain advice from a suitably qualified housing professional or solicitor.

Can police remove tenant UK - key takeaway

In most ordinary private tenancy disputes in England, the police do not physically remove tenants for landlords.

The landlord normally needs to follow the possession process, obtain a court order and, where the tenant still refuses to leave, use a warrant enforced by a court-appointed bailiff. Police involvement is more relevant where there is violence, threats, illegal eviction or another criminal or immediate safety issue.

Note: These rules focus on England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing and eviction procedures.