[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 home by changing the locks on the doors to stop me entering the premises.

I have sought advice from [name of Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service]. 

Locking out a tenant is illegal. It is an offence under section 120 (1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 to recover possession of residential premises, unless you have a warrant issued by a court or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. A landlord who does so, and any person assisting them, faces a penalty of up to $22,000. 

In addition, under section 187(1)(d) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal may order that the landlord pay compensation to a dispossessed tenant.

If you make further threats, I will be seeking orders from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal regarding this matter.

Yours sincerely

[T Tenant]