diff --git a/PROGRESS.md b/PROGRESS.md
index 77160ba..28eaeec 100644
--- a/PROGRESS.md
+++ b/PROGRESS.md
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 # Lomavuokraus app progress (Nov 24)
 - New testing DB (`lomavuokraus_testing`) holds the previous staging/prod data; the main `lomavuokraus` DB was recreated clean with only the seeded admin user. Migration history was copied, and a schema snapshot lives at `docs/db-schema.sql`.
 - Testing environment wiring added: dedicated namespace (`lomavuokraus-test`), deploy wrapper (`deploy/deploy-test.sh`), API host support, and a DNS updater for `test.lomavuokraus.fi` / `apitest.lomavuokraus.fi`.
+- Access control tightened: middleware now gates admin routes, admin-only pages check session/role, API handlers return proper 401/403, and listing removal is limited to owners/admins (no more moderator overrides).
 - Backend/data: Added Prisma models (User/Listing/ListingTranslation/ListingImage), seed script creates sample listing; DB on Hetzner VM `46.62.203.202`, staging secrets set in `lomavuokraus-web-secrets`.
 - Auth: Register/login/verify flows; session cookie (`session_token`), NavBar shows email+role badge. Roles: USER, ADMIN, USER_MODERATOR (approve users), LISTING_MODERATOR (approve listings). Admin can change roles at `/admin/users`.
 - Listing flow: create listing (session required), pending/published with admin/moderator approvals; pages for “My listings,” “New listing,” “Profile.” Quick actions tile removed; all actions in navbar.
diff --git a/app/admin/pending/page.tsx b/app/admin/pending/page.tsx
index d7360ec..bfb3e8d 100644
--- a/app/admin/pending/page.tsx
+++ b/app/admin/pending/page.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ export default function PendingAdminPage() {
   const { t } = useI18n();
   const [pendingUsers, setPendingUsers] = useState<PendingUser[]>([]);
   const [pendingListings, setPendingListings] = useState<PendingListing[]>([]);
+  const [role, setRole] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [message, setMessage] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export default function PendingAdminPage() {
         setError(data.error || 'Failed to load');
         return;
       }
+      setRole(data.role ?? null);
       setPendingUsers(data.users ?? []);
       setPendingListings(data.listings ?? []);
     } catch (e) {
@@ -34,11 +36,16 @@ export default function PendingAdminPage() {
     fetch('/api/auth/me', { cache: 'no-store' })
       .then((res) => res.json())
       .then((data) => {
-        if (data.user?.role === 'ADMIN') {
-          loadPending();
-        } else {
+        setRole(data.user?.role ?? null);
+        if (!data.user?.role) {
           setError(t('adminRequired'));
+          return;
         }
+        if (['ADMIN', 'USER_MODERATOR', 'LISTING_MODERATOR'].includes(data.user.role)) {
+          loadPending();
+          return;
+        }
+        setError(t('adminRequired'));
       })
       .catch(() => setError(t('adminRequired')));
   }, [t]);
@@ -117,13 +124,13 @@ export default function PendingAdminPage() {
                     <strong>{u.email}</strong> — {t('statusLabel')}: {u.status} — {t('verifiedLabel')}: {u.emailVerifiedAt ? t('yes') : t('no')}
                   </div>
                   <div style={{ marginTop: 8, display: 'flex', gap: 8 }}>
-                    <button className="button" onClick={() => approveUser(u.id, false)}>
+                    <button className="button" onClick={() => approveUser(u.id, false)} disabled={role !== 'ADMIN' && role !== 'USER_MODERATOR'}>
                       {t('approve')}
                     </button>
-                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approveUser(u.id, true)}>
+                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approveUser(u.id, true)} disabled={role !== 'ADMIN'}>
                       {t('approveAdmin')}
                     </button>
-                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => rejectUser(u.id)}>
+                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => rejectUser(u.id)} disabled={role !== 'ADMIN' && role !== 'USER_MODERATOR'}>
                       {t('reject')}
                     </button>
                   </div>
@@ -147,13 +154,13 @@ export default function PendingAdminPage() {
                     {t('slugsLabel')}: {l.translations.map((t) => `${t.slug} (${t.locale})`).join(', ')}
                   </div>
                   <div style={{ marginTop: 8, display: 'flex', gap: 8 }}>
-                    <button className="button" onClick={() => approveListing(l.id, 'approve')}>
+                    <button className="button" onClick={() => approveListing(l.id, 'approve')} disabled={role !== 'ADMIN' && role !== 'LISTING_MODERATOR'}>
                       {t('publish')}
                     </button>
-                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approveListing(l.id, 'reject')}>
+                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approveListing(l.id, 'reject')} disabled={role !== 'ADMIN' && role !== 'LISTING_MODERATOR'}>
                       {t('reject')}
                     </button>
-                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approveListing(l.id, 'remove')}>
+                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approveListing(l.id, 'remove')} disabled={role !== 'ADMIN' && role !== 'LISTING_MODERATOR'}>
                       {t('remove')}
                     </button>
                   </div>
diff --git a/app/admin/users/page.tsx b/app/admin/users/page.tsx
index 8e11aa6..113d5e2 100644
--- a/app/admin/users/page.tsx
+++ b/app/admin/users/page.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ const roleOptions = ['USER', 'USER_MODERATOR', 'LISTING_MODERATOR', 'ADMIN'];
 export default function AdminUsersPage() {
   const { t } = useI18n();
   const [users, setUsers] = useState<UserRow[]>([]);
+  const [role, setRole] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [message, setMessage] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
@@ -38,7 +39,17 @@ export default function AdminUsersPage() {
   }
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    load();
+    fetch('/api/auth/me', { cache: 'no-store' })
+      .then((res) => res.json())
+      .then((data) => {
+        setRole(data.user?.role ?? null);
+        if (data.user?.role === 'ADMIN') {
+          load();
+        } else {
+          setError(t('adminRequired'));
+        }
+      })
+      .catch(() => setError(t('adminRequired')));
   }, []);
 
   async function setRole(userId: string, role: string) {
@@ -161,7 +172,7 @@ export default function AdminUsersPage() {
             <tr key={u.id} style={{ borderTop: '1px solid #eee' }}>
               <td style={{ padding: 8 }}>{u.email}</td>
               <td style={{ padding: 8 }}>
-                <select value={u.role} onChange={(e) => setRole(u.id, e.target.value)} disabled={loading}>
+                <select value={u.role} onChange={(e) => setRole(u.id, e.target.value)} disabled={loading || role !== 'ADMIN'}>
                   {roleOptions.map((r) => (
                     <option key={r} value={r}>
                       {r}
@@ -175,14 +186,14 @@ export default function AdminUsersPage() {
               <td style={{ padding: 8 }}>
                 <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 8, flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
                   {u.approvedAt ? null : (
-                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approve(u.id)} disabled={loading}>
+                    <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => approve(u.id)} disabled={loading || role !== 'ADMIN'}>
                       {t('approve')}
                     </button>
                   )}
-                  <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => reject(u.id)} disabled={loading}>
+                  <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => reject(u.id)} disabled={loading || role !== 'ADMIN'}>
                     {t('reject')}
                   </button>
-                  <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => remove(u.id)} disabled={loading}>
+                  <button className="button secondary" onClick={() => remove(u.id)} disabled={loading || role !== 'ADMIN'}>
                     {t('remove')}
                   </button>
                 </div>
diff --git a/app/api/admin/listings/approve/route.ts b/app/api/admin/listings/approve/route.ts
index 3835b34..682afeb 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/listings/approve/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/listings/approve/route.ts
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ ok: true, listing: updated });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('Admin listing approval error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Approval failed' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/pending/count/route.ts b/app/api/admin/pending/count/route.ts
index be5596e..7db5dfc 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/pending/count/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/pending/count/route.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ export async function GET(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ users, listings, total: users + listings });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('Pending count error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Failed to load count' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/pending/route.ts b/app/api/admin/pending/route.ts
index 14bea9c..5a9248f 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/pending/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/pending/route.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ export async function GET(req: Request) {
     return NextResponse.json({ users, listings, role: auth.role });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error('List pending error', error);
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Failed to load pending items' }, { status: 500 });
   }
 }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/users/approve/route.ts b/app/api/admin/users/approve/route.ts
index b77f360..1e26743 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/users/approve/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/users/approve/route.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ ok: true, user: updated });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('Admin approve user error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Approval failed' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/users/reject/route.ts b/app/api/admin/users/reject/route.ts
index 0f3ebd9..6ed62a1 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/users/reject/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/users/reject/route.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ ok: true, user: updated });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('Admin reject user error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Reject failed' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/users/remove/route.ts b/app/api/admin/users/remove/route.ts
index 44c59d6..63d50fb 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/users/remove/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/users/remove/route.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ ok: true, user: updated });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('Admin remove user error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Remove failed' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/users/role/route.ts b/app/api/admin/users/role/route.ts
index 4caa5ed..89e2b0a 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/users/role/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/users/role/route.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ ok: true, user: updated });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('Update role error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Failed to update role' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/admin/users/route.ts b/app/api/admin/users/route.ts
index b0a8c8f..548ab11 100644
--- a/app/api/admin/users/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/admin/users/route.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ export async function GET(req: Request) {
 
     return NextResponse.json({ users, roles: Object.values(Role), statuses: Object.values(UserStatus) });
   } catch (error) {
+    if (String(error).includes('Unauthorized')) {
+      return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 });
+    }
     console.error('List users error', error);
     return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Failed to load users' }, { status: 500 });
   }
diff --git a/app/api/listings/remove/route.ts b/app/api/listings/remove/route.ts
index cdc8f19..1a5af75 100644
--- a/app/api/listings/remove/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/listings/remove/route.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export async function POST(req: Request) {
     }
 
     const isOwner = listing.ownerId === auth.userId;
-    const canModerate = auth.role === Role.ADMIN || auth.role === Role.LISTING_MODERATOR;
+    const canModerate = auth.role === Role.ADMIN;
 
     if (!isOwner && !canModerate) {
       return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Forbidden' }, { status: 403 });
diff --git a/lib/jwt.ts b/lib/jwt.ts
index 05111c1..7978acf 100644
--- a/lib/jwt.ts
+++ b/lib/jwt.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export async function verifyAccessToken(token: string) {
   return payload as { userId: string; role: string };
 }
 
-export async function requireAuth(request: Request | NextRequest) {
+export async function getAuthFromRequest(request: Request | NextRequest) {
   let token: string | null = null;
 
   const header = request.headers.get('authorization');
@@ -40,9 +40,21 @@ export async function requireAuth(request: Request | NextRequest) {
   }
 
   if (!token) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  try {
+    return await verifyAccessToken(token);
+  } catch {
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+export async function requireAuth(request: Request | NextRequest) {
+  const auth = await getAuthFromRequest(request);
+  if (!auth) {
     throw new Error('Unauthorized');
   }
-  return verifyAccessToken(token);
+  return auth;
 }
 
 export function buildSessionCookie(token: string) {
diff --git a/middleware.ts b/middleware.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ae9268
--- /dev/null
+++ b/middleware.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from 'next/server';
+import { getAuthFromRequest } from './lib/jwt';
+
+const ADMIN_ONLY_PATHS = ['/admin/users'];
+const MODERATOR_PATHS = ['/admin/pending'];
+
+function buildLoginRedirect(req: NextRequest) {
+  const url = new URL('/auth/login', req.url);
+  url.searchParams.set('redirect', req.nextUrl.pathname + req.nextUrl.search);
+  return url;
+}
+
+export async function middleware(req: NextRequest) {
+  const { pathname } = req.nextUrl;
+  if (!pathname.startsWith('/admin')) {
+    return NextResponse.next();
+  }
+
+  const session = await getAuthFromRequest(req);
+  if (!session) {
+    return NextResponse.redirect(buildLoginRedirect(req));
+  }
+
+  const role = session.role;
+  const isAdminOnly = ADMIN_ONLY_PATHS.some((p) => pathname.startsWith(p));
+  if (isAdminOnly && role !== 'ADMIN') {
+    return NextResponse.redirect(new URL('/', req.url));
+  }
+
+  const isModeratorPath = MODERATOR_PATHS.some((p) => pathname.startsWith(p));
+  if (isModeratorPath && !(role === 'ADMIN' || role === 'USER_MODERATOR' || role === 'LISTING_MODERATOR')) {
+    return NextResponse.redirect(new URL('/', req.url));
+  }
+
+  return NextResponse.next();
+}
+
+export const config = {
+  matcher: ['/admin/:path*'],
+};