Sample Letter - Threat of lockout

[Your name and address]

[Date]

[Landlord’s or agent’s name and address]

Dear …

Re: Threat of lockout at [your address]

On the phone yesterday you threatened to evict me from my house by changing the locks on the doors to stop me entering the premises.

I have sought advice from [name of service] Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service. It is an offence under section 72(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 to recover possession of residential premises unless you have an order of a court or the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.

Locking out a tenant is illegal, and landlords, as well as any person assisting them, who do so face a penalty of up to $22,000 each personally. Under section 16(2)(d)(iii) of the above Act, the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal may also order the landlord to pay compensation to a dispossessed tenant.

If further threats are made by you I will be seeking an order from the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

T Tenant