diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 16bf673e7..be3df557b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ and this project adheres to
 - ✨(frontend) let users pick the recording encoding
 - ✨(backend) introduce a token exchange endpoint for iframe embeds
 - ⚡️(backend) send recording notification emails from a Celery task
+- ✨(backend) add room soft-deletion to the external API
 
 ### Changed
 
diff --git a/UPGRADE.md b/UPGRADE.md
index 5099b4965..3d8289020 100644
--- a/UPGRADE.md
+++ b/UPGRADE.md
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ the following command inside your docker container:
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Purging deleted rooms
+
+Deleting a room now only soft deletes it: it is hidden but keeps its slug and PIN code. The `purge_inactive_rooms` command also permanently deletes soft-deleted rooms. See [the room purge documentation](docs/features/room-purge.md).
+
+- Inactive soft-deleted rooms are purged along with the other inactive rooms: if `ROOM_INACTIVITY_DELETION_DAYS` is already set, nothing else is needed.
+- The new `ROOM_DELETED_RETENTION_DAYS` setting purges soft-deleted rooms that many days after their deletion, whether they are inactive or not. It is unset by default.
+- As for inactive rooms, a deleted room holding a saved recording its users may still access is kept until that recording expires.
+
 ### Marketing / Brevo integration now uses `django-lasuite`
 
 The in-house marketing service (`core.services.marketing`) has been removed and
diff --git a/src/backend/core/admin.py b/src/backend/core/admin.py
index 30138e85e..73315a212 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/admin.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/admin.py
@@ -286,9 +286,16 @@ class RoomAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
         "get_owner",
         "created_at",
         "last_started_at",
+        "deleted_at",
+    ]
+    list_filter = ["access_level", "created_at", "last_started_at", "deleted_at"]
+    readonly_fields = [
+        "id",
+        "created_at",
+        "updated_at",
+        "last_started_at",
+        "deleted_at",
     ]
-    list_filter = ["access_level", "created_at", "last_started_at"]
-    readonly_fields = ["id", "created_at", "updated_at", "last_started_at"]
 
     def get_queryset(self, request):
         """Optimize queries by prefetching related access and user data to avoid N+1 queries."""
diff --git a/src/backend/core/analytics/events.py b/src/backend/core/analytics/events.py
index c7c1bc412..fdef4aa77 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/analytics/events.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/analytics/events.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ class AnalyticsEvent(StrEnum):
     # Rooms
     ROOM_CREATED = "room_created"
     ROOM_UPDATED = "room_updated"
+    ROOM_DELETED = "room_deleted"
 
     # Roomkit (meeting-room SIP devices)
     ROOMKIT_JOINED = "roomkit_joined"
diff --git a/src/backend/core/api/exceptions.py b/src/backend/core/api/exceptions.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..76833fc27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/core/api/exceptions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+"""Exceptions and guards shared by the API endpoints."""
+
+from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
+
+from rest_framework import exceptions, status
+
+from core import models
+
+
+class RoomSoftDeleted(exceptions.APIException):
+    """Raised when the requested room has been soft deleted."""
+
+    status_code = status.HTTP_410_GONE
+    default_detail = _("This room has been deleted.")
+    default_code = "room_deleted"
+
+
+def ensure_room_not_deleted(resource):
+    """Raise a 410 Gone if the resource is a soft-deleted room.
+
+    Accepts a room or its parent resource, as referenced by accesses. Call it
+    after permissions are checked, to avoid revealing room.
+    """
+    if isinstance(resource, models.Room):
+        room = resource
+    else:
+        room = getattr(resource, "room", None)
+
+    if room is not None and room.is_deleted:
+        raise RoomSoftDeleted()
diff --git a/src/backend/core/api/serializers.py b/src/backend/core/api/serializers.py
index fb52dc9e3..8bbf89b82 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/api/serializers.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/api/serializers.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from rest_framework.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from timezone_field.rest_framework import TimeZoneSerializerField
 
 from core import models, utils
+from core.api.exceptions import ensure_room_not_deleted
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -114,6 +115,7 @@ class ResourceAccessSerializerMixin:
                 _("You must be administrator or owner of a room to add accesses to it.")
             )
 
+        ensure_room_not_deleted(resource)
         return resource
 
 
diff --git a/src/backend/core/api/viewsets.py b/src/backend/core/api/viewsets.py
index b0ec01522..2897b88eb 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/api/viewsets.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/api/viewsets.py
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ from rest_framework.settings import api_settings
 
 from core import analytics, enums, models, utils
 from core.api import throttling
+from core.api.exceptions import ensure_room_not_deleted
 from core.api.filters import ListFileFilter
 from core.enums import MEDIA_STORAGE_URL_PATTERN
 from core.recording.enums import FileExtension
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ from core.services.participants_management import (
     ParticipantsManagementException,
 )
 from core.services.room_creation import RoomCreation
-from core.services.room_management import RoomManagement
+from core.services.room_management import RoomManagement, RoomManagementException
 from core.services.room_roles import (
     RoomRoleError,
     RoomRoleService,
@@ -261,7 +262,7 @@ class UserViewSet(
         return drf_response.Response(data)
 
 
-class RoomViewSet(
+class RoomViewSet(  # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods
     mixins.CreateModelMixin,
     mixins.DestroyModelMixin,
     mixins.UpdateModelMixin,
@@ -287,10 +288,9 @@ class RoomViewSet(
             filter_kwargs = {"pk": self.kwargs["pk"]}
         except ValueError:
             filter_kwargs = {"slug": slugify(self.kwargs["pk"])}
-        queryset = self.filter_queryset(self.get_queryset())
-        obj = get_object_or_404(queryset, **filter_kwargs)
-        # May raise a permission denied
+        obj = get_object_or_404(models.Room.all_objects, **filter_kwargs)
         self.check_object_permissions(self.request, obj)
+        ensure_room_not_deleted(obj)
         return obj
 
     def retrieve(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
@@ -342,6 +342,27 @@ class RoomViewSet(
         serializer = self.get_serializer(queryset, many=True)
         return drf_response.Response(serializer.data)
 
+    def perform_destroy(self, instance):
+        """Soft delete the room and close its LiveKit room.
+
+        The room and its recordings are kept in database for traceability.
+        """
+        try:
+            RoomManagement.soft_delete(instance)
+        except RoomManagementException as e:
+            raise drf_exceptions.APIException(
+                "Could not delete the room, please try again."
+            ) from e
+
+        analytics.capture(
+            self.request.user,
+            analytics.AnalyticsEvent.ROOM_DELETED,
+            {
+                "room_id": str(instance.pk),
+                "access_level": instance.access_level,
+            },
+        )
+
     def perform_create(self, serializer):
         """Set the current user as owner of the newly created room.
 
@@ -1039,6 +1060,13 @@ class ResourceAccessViewSet(
 
         return queryset
 
+    def get_object(self):
+        """Accesses to a soft-deleted room can be read but no longer modified."""
+        access = super().get_object()
+        if self.request.method not in drf_permissions.SAFE_METHODS:
+            ensure_room_not_deleted(access.resource)
+        return access
+
 
 class RecordingViewSet(
     mixins.DestroyModelMixin,
diff --git a/src/backend/core/external_api/viewsets.py b/src/backend/core/external_api/viewsets.py
index aaa5d2956..e528d5538 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/external_api/viewsets.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/external_api/viewsets.py
@@ -21,11 +21,13 @@ from rest_framework import (
 from rest_framework import (
     status as drf_status,
 )
+from rest_framework.generics import get_object_or_404
 
 from core import analytics, api, models
+from core.api.exceptions import ensure_room_not_deleted
 from core.api.feature_flag import FeatureFlag
 from core.services.jwt_token import JwtTokenService
-from core.services.room_management import RoomManagement
+from core.services.room_management import RoomManagement, RoomManagementException
 from core.services.transit_code import TransitCodeService
 
 from ..services.provisional_user_service import (
@@ -142,6 +144,7 @@ class ApplicationViewSet(viewsets.ViewSet):
 
 class RoomViewSet(
     mixins.CreateModelMixin,
+    mixins.DestroyModelMixin,
     mixins.RetrieveModelMixin,
     mixins.ListModelMixin,
     mixins.UpdateModelMixin,
@@ -159,9 +162,13 @@ class RoomViewSet(
     - create: Create a new room owned by the user (requires 'rooms:create' scope)
     - partial_update: Update a room's access level and configuration, for
       administrators and owners only (requires 'rooms:update' scope)
+    - destroy: Soft delete a room and close its LiveKit room, for owners only
+      (requires 'rooms:delete' scope)
+
+    Detail operations on a soft-deleted room answer 410 Gone.
     """
 
-    http_method_names = ["get", "post", "patch", "head", "options"]
+    http_method_names = ["get", "post", "patch", "delete", "head", "options"]
 
     authentication_classes = [
         authentication.ApplicationJWTAuthentication,
@@ -176,6 +183,17 @@ class RoomViewSet(
     queryset = models.Room.objects.all()
     serializer_class = serializers.RoomSerializer
 
+    def get_object(self):
+        """Get the room, answer 410 if it has been deleted.
+
+        Permissions are checked first so a deleted room is only revealed to
+        users who would have been granted access to it.
+        """
+        room = get_object_or_404(models.Room.all_objects, pk=self.kwargs["pk"])
+        self.check_object_permissions(self.request, room)
+        ensure_room_not_deleted(room)
+        return room
+
     def list(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         """Limit listed rooms to the ones related to the authenticated user."""
 
@@ -239,6 +257,16 @@ class RoomViewSet(
 
         self._track_room_event(room, analytics.AnalyticsEvent.ROOM_CREATED)
 
+    def perform_destroy(self, instance):
+        """Soft delete the room, close its LiveKit room, then log and track it."""
+        try:
+            RoomManagement.soft_delete(instance)
+        except RoomManagementException as e:
+            raise drf_exceptions.APIException(
+                "Could not delete the room, please try again."
+            ) from e
+        self._track_room_event(instance, analytics.AnalyticsEvent.ROOM_DELETED)
+
     def perform_update(self, serializer: serializers.RoomSerializer):
         """Persist the room update, sync it to LiveKit, then log and track it."""
 
diff --git a/src/backend/core/migrations/0027_room_deleted_at.py b/src/backend/core/migrations/0027_room_deleted_at.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..95e2f38e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backend/core/migrations/0027_room_deleted_at.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.14 on 2026-09-16 10:00
+
+import django.db.models.manager
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('core', '0026_alter_application_scopes'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name='room',
+            name='deleted_at',
+            field=models.DateTimeField(blank=True, null=True),
+        ),
+        migrations.AlterModelOptions(
+            name='room',
+            options={'default_manager_name': 'all_objects', 'ordering': ('name',), 'verbose_name': 'Room', 'verbose_name_plural': 'Rooms'},
+        ),
+        migrations.AlterModelManagers(
+            name='room',
+            managers=[
+                ('all_objects', django.db.models.manager.Manager()),
+            ],
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/src/backend/core/models.py b/src/backend/core/models.py
index bcf6092b7..0ae5c2909 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/models.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/models.py
@@ -407,6 +407,33 @@ class ResourceAccess(BaseModel):
         return super().delete(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
+class RoomQuerySet(models.QuerySet):
+    """QuerySet exposing the room lifecycle filters."""
+
+    def active(self):
+        """Rooms that have not been soft deleted."""
+        return self.filter(deleted_at__isnull=True)
+
+    def deleted(self):
+        """Rooms that have been soft deleted."""
+        return self.filter(deleted_at__isnull=False)
+
+
+class RoomManager(models.Manager.from_queryset(RoomQuerySet)):
+    """Manager hiding soft-deleted rooms, exposed as ``Room.objects``.
+
+    It is deliberately not the model's default manager: Django relies on
+    ``_default_manager`` for unique validation, which must see deleted rooms as
+    they still guard their slug and pin code. Other object relations (e.g.
+    ``recording.room``) go through the base manager and still resolve deleted
+    rooms, which keeps recordings and their notifications working.
+    """
+
+    def get_queryset(self):
+        """Exclude soft-deleted rooms."""
+        return super().get_queryset().active()
+
+
 class Room(Resource):
     """Model for one room"""
 
@@ -430,6 +457,7 @@ class Room(Resource):
         verbose_name=_("Visio room configuration"),
         help_text=_("Values for Visio parameters to configure the room."),
     )
+    deleted_at = models.DateTimeField(null=True, blank=True)
     pin_code = models.CharField(
         max_length=None,
         unique=True,
@@ -446,8 +474,13 @@ class Room(Resource):
         editable=False,
     )
 
+    # Managers
+    objects = RoomManager()
+    all_objects = models.Manager.from_queryset(RoomQuerySet)()
+
     class Meta:
         db_table = "meet_room"
+        default_manager_name = "all_objects"
         ordering = ("name",)
         verbose_name = _("Room")
         verbose_name_plural = _("Rooms")
@@ -470,6 +503,23 @@ class Room(Resource):
             )
         super().save(*args, **kwargs)
 
+    @property
+    def is_deleted(self):
+        """Whether the room has been soft deleted."""
+        return self.deleted_at is not None
+
+    def soft_delete(self):
+        """Soft delete the room.
+
+        The room is hidden from the default manager making it impossible to
+        list, join or update.
+        """
+        if self.deleted_at:
+            raise RuntimeError("This room is already deleted.")
+
+        self.deleted_at = timezone.now()
+        self.save(update_fields=["deleted_at"])
+
     def clean_fields(self, exclude=None):
         """
         Automatically generate the slug from the name and make sure it does not look like a UUID.
@@ -505,7 +555,7 @@ class Room(Resource):
 
         for _ in range(settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_PIN_MAX_RETRIES):
             pin_code = str(secrets.randbelow(max_value)).zfill(length)
-            if not Room.objects.filter(pin_code=pin_code).exists():
+            if not Room.all_objects.filter(pin_code=pin_code).exists():
                 return pin_code
 
         # Log a warning as a temporary measure until backend observability is implemented.
diff --git a/src/backend/core/services/livekit_events.py b/src/backend/core/services/livekit_events.py
index 167b7b4b1..638f1c4f8 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/services/livekit_events.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/services/livekit_events.py
@@ -271,20 +271,24 @@ class LiveKitEventsService:
             )
             raise ActionFailedError("Failed to process room started event") from e
 
-        room_updated_count = models.Room.objects.filter(pk=room_id).update(
+        try:
+            room = models.Room.all_objects.get(id=room_id)
+        except models.Room.DoesNotExist as err:
+            raise ActionFailedError(f"Room with ID {room_id} does not exist") from err
+
+        # The block below is intended to fix the issue where long-lived livekit
+        # tokens allow users who already entered a room to re-create it,
+        # even if it was closed.
+        if room.is_deleted:
+            self._close_deleted_room(room_id)
+            return
+
+        # Update through the queryset to skip the full_clean run by save()
+        models.Room.all_objects.filter(pk=room.pk).update(
             last_started_at=timezone.now()
         )
-        if not room_updated_count:
-            raise ActionFailedError(f"Room with ID {room_id} does not exist")
 
         if settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED or settings.ROOMKIT_ENABLED:
-            try:
-                room = models.Room.objects.get(pk=room_id)
-            except models.Room.DoesNotExist as err:
-                raise ActionFailedError(
-                    f"Room with ID {room_id} does not exist"
-                ) from err
-
             try:
                 self.sip_management.ensure_dispatch_rule(room)
             except SIPException as e:
@@ -292,6 +296,25 @@ class LiveKitEventsService:
                     f"Failed to create sip dispatch rule for room {room_id}"
                 ) from e
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _close_deleted_room(room_id):
+        """Close a LiveKit room recreated after its room was soft deleted.
+
+        LiveKit auto-creates a room on join, so a participant still holding a
+        valid token can bring a deleted room back to life until the token expires.
+        """
+
+        logger.warning(
+            "LiveKit room %s started for a deleted room, closing it", room_id
+        )
+
+        try:
+            RoomManagement.delete_room(str(room_id))
+        except RoomNotFoundException:
+            logger.info("LiveKit room %s is already closed", room_id)
+        except RoomManagementException as e:
+            raise ActionFailedError(f"Failed to close deleted room {room_id}") from e
+
     def _handle_room_finished(self, data):
         """Handle 'room_finished' event."""
 
diff --git a/src/backend/core/services/room_management.py b/src/backend/core/services/room_management.py
index 6dfe8b035..0ce7043a3 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/services/room_management.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/services/room_management.py
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@
 
 # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
 
+import contextlib
 import json
 from logging import getLogger
 from typing import Dict, Optional
 
+from django.conf import settings
+
 from asgiref.sync import async_to_sync
 from livekit.api import (
     DeleteRoomRequest,
@@ -15,6 +18,9 @@ from livekit.api import (
 )
 
 from core import utils
+from core.models import Room
+
+from .sip_management import SIPException, SIPManagement
 
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -115,6 +121,38 @@ class RoomManagement:
         finally:
             await lkapi.aclose()
 
+    @classmethod
+    def soft_delete(cls, room: Room):
+        """Soft delete a room, remove its SIP routing and close its LiveKit room."""
+
+        room.soft_delete()
+
+        try:
+            cls._delete_dispatch_rule(room)
+
+            with contextlib.suppress(RoomNotFoundException):
+                cls.delete_room(str(room.id))
+        except Exception:
+            Room.all_objects.filter(pk=room.pk, deleted_at=room.deleted_at).update(
+                deleted_at=None
+            )
+            room.deleted_at = None
+            raise
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _delete_dispatch_rule(room: Room):
+        """Delete a room's SIP dispatch rule, so its PIN no longer routes calls.
+
+        This cannot be left to the room_finished webhook: a roomkit join creates
+        the rule before any LiveKit room exists, so no room may ever finish.
+        """
+
+        if settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED or settings.ROOMKIT_ENABLED:
+            try:
+                SIPManagement().delete_dispatch_rule(room.id)
+            except SIPException as e:
+                raise RoomManagementException("Could not delete dispatch rule") from e
+
     @classmethod
     def sync_room_metadata(cls, room):
         """Push a room's configuration and access level to its LiveKit room metadata.
diff --git a/src/backend/core/services/sip_management.py b/src/backend/core/services/sip_management.py
index 0c934b8c1..dde9730f2 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/services/sip_management.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/services/sip_management.py
@@ -124,7 +124,11 @@ class SIPManagement:
 
     @async_to_sync
     async def delete_dispatch_rule(self, room_id):
-        """Delete all SIP inbound dispatch rules associated with a specific room."""
+        """Delete all SIP inbound dispatch rules associated with a specific room.
+
+        A rule deleted meanwhile (e.g. by both a room deletion and its
+        room_finished webhook) is not an error.
+        """
 
         rules_ids = await self._list_dispatch_rules_ids(room_id)
 
@@ -138,9 +142,16 @@ class SIPManagement:
         lkapi = utils.create_livekit_client()
         try:
             for rule_id in rules_ids:
-                await lkapi.sip.delete_sip_dispatch_rule(
-                    delete=DeleteSIPDispatchRuleRequest(sip_dispatch_rule_id=rule_id)
-                )
+                try:
+                    await lkapi.sip.delete_sip_dispatch_rule(
+                        delete=DeleteSIPDispatchRuleRequest(
+                            sip_dispatch_rule_id=rule_id
+                        )
+                    )
+                except TwirpError as e:
+                    if e.code != TwirpErrorCode.NOT_FOUND:
+                        raise
+                    logger.info("Dispatch rule %s was already deleted", rule_id)
 
             return True
 
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_create.py b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_create.py
index 745a638f0..51ac78d2f 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_create.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_create.py
@@ -117,6 +117,29 @@ def test_api_rooms_create_authenticated_existing_slug():
     assert response.json() == {"slug": ["Room with this Slug already exists."]}
 
 
+def test_api_rooms_create_authenticated_slug_held_by_soft_deleted_room():
+    """
+    A deleted room keeps its slug: creating a room with the same name should
+    fail validation rather than hit the database constraint.
+    """
+    RoomFactory(name="my room").soft_delete()
+    user = UserFactory()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.post(
+        "/api/v1.0/rooms/",
+        {
+            "name": "My Room!",
+        },
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 400
+    assert response.json() == {"slug": ["Room with this Slug already exists."]}
+    assert Room.all_objects.count() == 1
+
+
 def test_api_rooms_create_authenticated_user_default_access_level():
     """
     The user's default room access level should be applied to the new room
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_delete.py b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_delete.py
index a7bb53d55..aea1ff4aa 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_delete.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_delete.py
@@ -2,11 +2,16 @@
 Test rooms API endpoints in the Meet core app: delete.
 """
 
+from unittest import mock
+
 import pytest
 from rest_framework.test import APIClient
 
+from ...analytics import AnalyticsEvent
 from ...factories import RoomFactory, UserFactory
-from ...models import Room
+from ...models import Room, RoomAccessLevel
+from ...services.room_management import RoomManagement, RoomNotFoundException
+from ...services.sip_management import SIPManagement
 
 pytestmark = pytest.mark.django_db
 
@@ -83,12 +88,52 @@ def test_api_rooms_delete_administrators():
     assert Room.objects.count() == 1
 
 
-def test_api_rooms_delete_owners():
+@mock.patch("core.api.viewsets.analytics.capture")
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_owners(mock_delete_room, _, mock_capture):
     """
     Authenticated users should be able to delete a room for which they are directly
-    owner.
+    owner. The room is soft deleted, its LiveKit room is closed and a ROOM_DELETED
+    analytics event is emitted.
     """
     user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "owner")], access_level=RoomAccessLevel.TRUSTED)
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.delete(
+        f"/api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/",
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 204
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    assert Room.objects.exists() is False
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).deleted_at is not None
+
+    mock_capture.assert_called_once_with(
+        user,
+        AnalyticsEvent.ROOM_DELETED,
+        {"room_id": str(room.pk), "access_level": RoomAccessLevel.TRUSTED},
+    )
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(
+    RoomManagement,
+    "delete_room",
+    side_effect=RoomNotFoundException("Room does not exist"),
+)
+def test_api_rooms_delete_owners_room_not_live(
+    mock_delete_room, mock_delete_dispatch_rule, settings
+):
+    """
+    Deleting a room that is not live in LiveKit should still soft delete it, and
+    delete its SIP dispatch rule, as no room_finished webhook will.
+    """
+    settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED = True
+    user = UserFactory()
     room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "owner")])
 
     client = APIClient()
@@ -99,4 +144,47 @@ def test_api_rooms_delete_owners():
     )
 
     assert response.status_code == 204
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    mock_delete_dispatch_rule.assert_called_once_with(room.id)
     assert Room.objects.exists() is False
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).deleted_at is not None
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_soft_deleted(mock_delete_room):
+    """Deleting a room that is already soft deleted should return a 410."""
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "owner")])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.delete(
+        f"/api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/",
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    assert response.json() == {"detail": "This room has been deleted."}
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_soft_deleted_not_owner(mock_delete_room):
+    """
+    Deleting a soft-deleted room as a non-owner should return a 403,
+    not revealing that the room has been deleted.
+    """
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "administrator")])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.delete(
+        f"/api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/",
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 403
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_participants_management.py b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_participants_management.py
index 83d4bfba5..03c7ed17d 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_participants_management.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_participants_management.py
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 Test rooms API endpoints in the Meet core app: participants management.
 """
 
-# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-name,unused-argument,protected-access,no-name-in-module,too-many-lines
+# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-name,unused-argument,protected-access
+# pylint: disable=no-name-in-module,too-many-lines
 
 import random
 from unittest import mock
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_retrieve.py b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_retrieve.py
index f40693303..f7efe5614 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_retrieve.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/rooms/test_api_rooms_retrieve.py
@@ -193,6 +193,28 @@ def test_api_rooms_retrieve_anonymous_unregistered_not_allowed():
     assert response.json() == {"detail": "No Room matches the given query."}
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("allow_unregistered_rooms", [True, False])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("lookup", ["id", "slug"])
+@mock.patch("core.utils.generate_token", return_value="foo")
+def test_api_rooms_retrieve_soft_deleted(
+    mock_token, lookup, allow_unregistered_rooms, settings
+):
+    """
+    Retrieving a soft-deleted room should return a 410, and never fall back
+    to an unregistered room with the same slug.
+    """
+    settings.ALLOW_UNREGISTERED_ROOMS = allow_unregistered_rooms
+    room = RoomFactory(access_level=RoomAccessLevel.PUBLIC)
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    response = client.get(f"/api/v1.0/rooms/{getattr(room, lookup)!s}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    assert response.json() == {"detail": "This room has been deleted."}
+    mock_token.assert_not_called()
+
+
 @mock.patch("core.utils.generate_token", return_value="foo")
 @override_settings(
     LIVEKIT_CONFIGURATION={
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_livekit_events.py b/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_livekit_events.py
index c69027fae..a1e618976 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_livekit_events.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_livekit_events.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Test LiveKitEvents service.
 """
-# pylint: disable=W0621,W0613, W0212, E0611
+# pylint: disable=W0621,W0613, W0212, E0611, C0302
 
 import logging
 import uuid
@@ -27,7 +27,10 @@ from core.services.livekit_events import (
     to_recording_event,
 )
 from core.services.lobby import LobbyService
-from core.services.room_management import RoomManagementException
+from core.services.room_management import (
+    RoomManagementException,
+    RoomNotFoundException,
+)
 from core.services.sip_management import (
     SIPException,
     SIPManagement,
@@ -796,6 +799,61 @@ def test_handle_room_started_raises_error_for_nonexistent_room(service):
         service._handle_room_started(mock_data)
 
 
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "ensure_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch("core.services.room_management.RoomManagement.delete_room")
+def test_handle_room_started_closes_deleted_room(
+    mock_delete_room, mock_ensure_dispatch_rule, service, settings
+):
+    """Should close a LiveKit room recreated for a soft-deleted room."""
+    settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED = True
+    room = RoomFactory()
+    room.soft_delete()
+    mock_data = mock.MagicMock()
+    mock_data.room.name = str(room.id)
+
+    service._handle_room_started(mock_data)
+
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    mock_ensure_dispatch_rule.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch(
+    "core.services.room_management.RoomManagement.delete_room",
+    side_effect=RoomNotFoundException("Room does not exist"),
+)
+def test_handle_room_started_ignores_already_closed_deleted_room(
+    mock_delete_room, service
+):
+    """Should proceed silently when the deleted room is already closed in LiveKit."""
+    room = RoomFactory()
+    room.soft_delete()
+    mock_data = mock.MagicMock()
+    mock_data.room.name = str(room.id)
+
+    service._handle_room_started(mock_data)
+
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+
+
+@mock.patch(
+    "core.services.room_management.RoomManagement.delete_room",
+    side_effect=RoomManagementException("Could not delete room"),
+)
+def test_handle_room_started_raises_error_when_closing_deleted_room_fails(
+    mock_delete_room, service
+):
+    """Should raise ActionFailedError when the deleted room cannot be closed."""
+    room = RoomFactory()
+    room.soft_delete()
+    mock_data = mock.MagicMock()
+    mock_data.room.name = str(room.id)
+
+    expected_error = f"Failed to close deleted room {room.id}"
+
+    with pytest.raises(ActionFailedError, match=expected_error):
+        service._handle_room_started(mock_data)
+
+
 @mock.patch.object(
     api.WebhookReceiver, "receive", side_effect=Exception("Invalid payload")
 )
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_room_management.py b/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_room_management.py
index 50f4b3926..015ebb1d3 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_room_management.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_room_management.py
@@ -2,16 +2,19 @@
 
 from unittest import mock
 
+from django.db import connection
+
 import pytest
 from livekit.api import TwirpError
 
 from core.factories import RoomFactory
-from core.models import RoomAccessLevel
+from core.models import Room, RoomAccessLevel
 from core.services.room_management import (
     RoomManagement,
     RoomManagementException,
     RoomNotFoundException,
 )
+from core.services.sip_management import SIPException, SIPManagement
 
 
 @mock.patch("core.services.room_management.utils.create_livekit_client")
@@ -62,6 +65,148 @@ def test_delete_room_raises_management_exception(mock_create_livekit_client):
     mock_api.aclose.assert_awaited_once()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.django_db(transaction=True)
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_soft_delete_commits_before_closing_livekit_room(mock_delete_room, _):
+    """The deletion is committed before the LiveKit room is closed, so the
+    room_started webhook of a participant reconnecting right away sees it."""
+    room = RoomFactory()
+
+    def assert_deletion_committed(room_name):
+        assert connection.in_atomic_block is False
+        assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room_name).is_deleted
+
+    mock_delete_room.side_effect = assert_deletion_committed
+
+    RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "error",
+    [
+        RoomManagementException("Could not delete room"),
+        ConnectionError("LiveKit is unreachable"),
+    ],
+)
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_soft_delete_failure_rolls_back_and_can_be_retried(mock_delete_room, _, error):
+    """A failed soft delete leaves the room untouched, in database and in memory,
+    so it can be retried."""
+    room = RoomFactory()
+    mock_delete_room.side_effect = error
+
+    with pytest.raises(type(error)):
+        RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    assert room.deleted_at is None
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists()
+
+    mock_delete_room.side_effect = None
+    RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    assert mock_delete_room.call_count == 2
+    assert room.deleted_at is not None
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).deleted_at is not None
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists() is False
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("sip_setting", ["ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED", "ROOMKIT_ENABLED"])
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(
+    RoomManagement,
+    "delete_room",
+    side_effect=RoomNotFoundException("Room does not exist"),
+)
+def test_soft_delete_room_not_live_deletes_dispatch_rule(
+    mock_delete_room, mock_delete_dispatch_rule, sip_setting, settings
+):
+    """A roomkit join creates the dispatch rule before any LiveKit room exists,
+    so no room_finished webhook deletes it: the soft delete must, or the
+    retained PIN would still route SIP calls to the deleted room."""
+    settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED = False
+    settings.ROOMKIT_ENABLED = False
+    setattr(settings, sip_setting, True)
+    room = RoomFactory()
+
+    RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    mock_delete_dispatch_rule.assert_called_once_with(room.id)
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).is_deleted
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_soft_delete_live_room_deletes_dispatch_rule_before_closing_it(settings):
+    """The dispatch rule of a live room is deleted before the LiveKit room is
+    closed, so a dispatch rule failure rolls the deletion back without having
+    disconnected the participants."""
+    settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED = True
+    room = RoomFactory()
+    calls = mock.Mock()
+
+    with (
+        mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room", calls.delete_room),
+        mock.patch.object(
+            SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule", calls.delete_dispatch_rule
+        ),
+    ):
+        RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    assert calls.mock_calls == [
+        mock.call.delete_dispatch_rule(room.id),
+        mock.call.delete_room(str(room.id)),
+    ]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_soft_delete_sip_disabled_skips_dispatch_rule(
+    mock_delete_room, mock_delete_dispatch_rule, settings
+):
+    """Without telephony nor roomkit, no dispatch rule is looked up."""
+    settings.ROOM_TELEPHONY_ENABLED = False
+    settings.ROOMKIT_ENABLED = False
+    room = RoomFactory()
+
+    RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    mock_delete_dispatch_rule.assert_not_called()
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).is_deleted
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+@mock.patch.object(
+    SIPManagement,
+    "delete_dispatch_rule",
+    side_effect=SIPException("Could not delete dispatch rules"),
+)
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_soft_delete_dispatch_rule_failure_rolls_back(
+    mock_delete_room, mock_delete_dispatch_rule, settings
+):
+    """A dispatch rule that can't be deleted fails the soft delete like a LiveKit
+    room that can't be closed: it is rolled back so it can be retried, and the
+    LiveKit room is left open."""
+    settings.ROOMKIT_ENABLED = True
+    room = RoomFactory()
+
+    with pytest.raises(RoomManagementException):
+        RoomManagement.soft_delete(room)
+
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+    mock_delete_dispatch_rule.assert_called_once_with(room.id)
+    assert room.deleted_at is None
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists()
+
+
 @mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "update_metadata")
 def test_sync_room_metadata_pushes_configuration_and_access_level(mock_update_metadata):
     """The room's configuration and access level are forwarded to LiveKit."""
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_sip_management.py b/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_sip_management.py
index b12324994..ae71f59b2 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_sip_management.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/services/test_sip_management.py
@@ -257,6 +257,31 @@ def test_delete_dispatch_rule_multiple_rules(mock_client_factory, mock_list_rule
     mock_api.aclose.assert_called_once()
 
 
+@mock.patch("core.services.sip_management.SIPManagement._list_dispatch_rules_ids")
+@mock.patch("core.utils.create_livekit_client")
+def test_delete_dispatch_rule_already_deleted(mock_client_factory, mock_list_rules):
+    """A rule deleted between listing and deletion (e.g. by both a room deletion and
+    its room_finished webhook) should not fail, nor stop the other deletions."""
+    sip_management = SIPManagement()
+    room = RoomFactory(access_level=RoomAccessLevel.RESTRICTED, pin_code="1234")
+
+    mock_list_rules.return_value = ["rule-1", "rule-2"]
+    mock_api = create_mock_livekit_client()
+    mock_api.sip.delete_sip_dispatch_rule = mock.AsyncMock(
+        side_effect=[
+            TwirpError(msg="sip dispatch rule not found", code="not_found", status=404),
+            None,
+        ]
+    )
+    mock_client_factory.return_value = mock_api
+
+    result = sip_management.delete_dispatch_rule(room.id)
+
+    assert result is True
+    assert mock_api.sip.delete_sip_dispatch_rule.call_count == 2
+    mock_api.aclose.assert_called_once()
+
+
 @mock.patch("core.services.sip_management.SIPManagement._list_dispatch_rules_ids")
 @mock.patch("core.utils.create_livekit_client")
 def test_delete_dispatch_rule_partial_failure(mock_client_factory, mock_list_rules):
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/test_api_resource_accesses.py b/src/backend/core/tests/test_api_resource_accesses.py
index 9ac1ad1d9..22cb08cc9 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/test_api_resource_accesses.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/test_api_resource_accesses.py
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 Test resource accesses API endpoints in the Meet core app.
 """
 
+# pylint: disable=too-many-lines
+
 import random
 from unittest import mock
 from uuid import uuid4
@@ -956,3 +958,99 @@ def test_api_room_user_access_delete_owners_last_owner():
 
     assert response.status_code == 403
     assert ResourceAccess.objects.count() == 1
+
+
+# Soft-deleted rooms
+
+
+def test_api_room_user_accesses_create_soft_deleted_room():
+    """
+    Owners of a soft-deleted room should not be allowed to add accesses to it.
+    """
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "owner")])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.post(
+        "/api/v1.0/resource-accesses/",
+        {
+            "user": str(UserFactory().id),
+            "resource": str(room.id),
+            "role": "member",
+        },
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    assert response.json() == {"detail": "This room has been deleted."}
+    assert ResourceAccess.objects.count() == 1
+
+
+def test_api_room_user_accesses_create_soft_deleted_room_not_administrator():
+    """
+    Users without privileges on a soft-deleted room should get a 403,
+    not revealing that the room has been deleted.
+    """
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "member")])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.post(
+        "/api/v1.0/resource-accesses/",
+        {
+            "user": str(UserFactory().id),
+            "resource": str(room.id),
+            "role": "member",
+        },
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 403
+    assert ResourceAccess.objects.count() == 1
+
+
+def test_api_room_user_accesses_update_soft_deleted_room():
+    """
+    Owners of a soft-deleted room should not be allowed to update its accesses.
+    """
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "owner")])
+    access = UserResourceAccessFactory(resource=room, role="member")
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.patch(
+        f"/api/v1.0/resource-accesses/{access.id!s}/",
+        {"role": "administrator"},
+        format="json",
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    access.refresh_from_db()
+    assert access.role == "member"
+
+
+def test_api_room_user_access_delete_soft_deleted_room():
+    """
+    Owners of a soft-deleted room should not be allowed to remove its accesses.
+    """
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, "owner")])
+    access = UserResourceAccessFactory(resource=room, role="member")
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.force_login(user)
+
+    response = client.delete(
+        f"/api/v1.0/resource-accesses/{access.id!s}/",
+    )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    assert ResourceAccess.objects.filter(id=access.id).exists() is True
diff --git a/src/backend/core/tests/test_external_api_rooms.py b/src/backend/core/tests/test_external_api_rooms.py
index 842f9f8e1..91170da04 100644
--- a/src/backend/core/tests/test_external_api_rooms.py
+++ b/src/backend/core/tests/test_external_api_rooms.py
@@ -26,7 +26,12 @@ from core.models import (
     RoomAccessLevel,
     User,
 )
-from core.services.room_management import RoomManagement
+from core.services.room_management import (
+    RoomManagement,
+    RoomManagementException,
+    RoomNotFoundException,
+)
+from core.services.sip_management import SIPManagement
 
 pytestmark = pytest.mark.django_db
 
@@ -563,6 +568,53 @@ def test_api_rooms_retrieve_not_found():
     assert "no room matches the given query." in str(response.data).lower()
 
 
+def test_api_rooms_retrieve_invalid_id():
+    """Retrieving a room with a malformed id should return a 404."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_RETRIEVE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.get("/external-api/v1.0/rooms/not-a-uuid/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 404
+
+
+def test_api_rooms_retrieve_soft_deleted():
+    """Retrieving a soft-deleted room should return a 410."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, RoleChoices.OWNER)])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_RETRIEVE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.get(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    assert response.json() == {"detail": "This room has been deleted."}
+
+
+def test_api_rooms_retrieve_soft_deleted_not_member():
+    """Retrieving a soft-deleted room without any role on it should return a 403,
+    not revealing that the room has been deleted."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory()
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_RETRIEVE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.get(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 403
+
+
 def test_api_rooms_create_requires_authentication():
     """Creating rooms without authentication should return 401."""
 
@@ -1392,6 +1444,212 @@ def test_api_rooms_update_tracks_analytics(mock_update_metadata, mock_capture):
     mock_update_metadata.assert_called_once()
 
 
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_requires_authentication(mock_delete_room):
+    """Deleting a room without authentication should return 401."""
+
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(UserFactory(), RoleChoices.OWNER)])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 401
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists() is True
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_requires_scope(mock_delete_room):
+    """Deleting a room requires the ROOMS_DELETE scope."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, RoleChoices.OWNER)])
+
+    # Token without ROOMS_DELETE scope
+    token = generate_test_token(
+        user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_RETRIEVE, ApplicationScope.ROOMS_UPDATE]
+    )
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 403
+    assert (
+        "insufficient permissions. required scope: rooms:delete"
+        in str(response.data).lower()
+    )
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists() is True
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("role", [RoleChoices.ADMIN, RoleChoices.MEMBER, None])
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_without_ownership(mock_delete_room, role):
+    """Only owners should be able to delete a room, administrators included."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    users = [(user, role)] if role else []
+    room = RoomFactory(users=users)
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 403
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists() is True
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_unknown_room(mock_delete_room):
+    """Deleting a room that does not exist should return 404."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{uuid.uuid4()}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 404
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch("core.external_api.viewsets.analytics.capture")
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_success(mock_delete_room, _, mock_capture):
+    """Owners should be able to delete a room: it is soft deleted, its LiveKit
+    room is closed and a ROOM_DELETED analytics event is emitted."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(
+        users=[(user, RoleChoices.OWNER)], access_level=RoomAccessLevel.TRUSTED
+    )
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+    application = Application.objects.get()
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 204
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists() is False
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).deleted_at is not None
+
+    mock_capture.assert_called_once()
+    captured_user, event, properties = mock_capture.call_args[0]
+
+    assert captured_user == user
+    assert event == AnalyticsEvent.ROOM_DELETED
+    assert properties == {
+        "room_id": str(room.pk),
+        "access_level": RoomAccessLevel.TRUSTED,
+        "client_id": str(application.client_id),
+        "external_api": True,
+        "auth_method": "ApplicationJWTAuthentication",
+        "$set": {"email": user.email},
+    }
+
+
+@mock.patch("core.external_api.viewsets.analytics.capture")
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(
+    RoomManagement,
+    "delete_room",
+    side_effect=RoomManagementException("Could not delete room"),
+)
+def test_api_rooms_delete_livekit_failure(mock_delete_room, _, mock_capture):
+    """When the LiveKit room can't be closed, the deletion should be rolled back
+    and no analytics event emitted."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, RoleChoices.OWNER)])
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 500
+    assert response.json() == {"detail": "Could not delete the room, please try again."}
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    assert Room.objects.get(id=room.id).deleted_at is None
+    mock_capture.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(SIPManagement, "delete_dispatch_rule")
+@mock.patch.object(
+    RoomManagement,
+    "delete_room",
+    side_effect=RoomNotFoundException("Room does not exist"),
+)
+def test_api_rooms_delete_room_not_live(
+    mock_delete_room, mock_delete_dispatch_rule, settings
+):
+    """Deleting a room that is not live in LiveKit should still soft delete it,
+    and delete its SIP dispatch rule, as no room_finished webhook will."""
+
+    settings.ROOMKIT_ENABLED = True
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, RoleChoices.OWNER)])
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 204
+    mock_delete_room.assert_called_once_with(str(room.id))
+    mock_delete_dispatch_rule.assert_called_once_with(room.id)
+    assert Room.objects.filter(id=room.id).exists() is False
+    assert Room.all_objects.get(id=room.id).deleted_at is not None
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_soft_deleted(mock_delete_room):
+    """Deleting a room that is already soft deleted should return a 410."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, RoleChoices.OWNER)])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 410
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
+@mock.patch.object(RoomManagement, "delete_room")
+def test_api_rooms_delete_soft_deleted_not_owner(mock_delete_room):
+    """Deleting a soft-deleted room as a non-owner should return a 403,
+    not revealing that the room has been deleted."""
+
+    user = UserFactory()
+    room = RoomFactory(users=[(user, RoleChoices.ADMIN)])
+    room.soft_delete()
+
+    token = generate_test_token(user, [ApplicationScope.ROOMS_DELETE])
+
+    client = APIClient()
+    client.credentials(HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=f"Bearer {token}")
+    response = client.delete(f"/external-api/v1.0/rooms/{room.id}/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 403
+    mock_delete_room.assert_not_called()
+
+
 def test_api_rooms_response_no_url(settings):
     """Response should not include url field when APPLICATION_BASE_URL is None."""
     settings.APPLICATION_BASE_URL = None
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/api/requestEntry.ts b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/api/requestEntry.ts
index fcbba3ae5..a10e58018 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/api/requestEntry.ts
+++ b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/api/requestEntry.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ export enum ApiLobbyStatus {
   DENIED = 'denied',
   TIMEOUT = 'timeout',
   ACCEPTED = 'accepted',
+  // Client-side only: the room was deleted while waiting
+  DELETED = 'deleted',
 }
 
 export interface ApiRequestEntry {
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Conference.tsx b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Conference.tsx
index 6901adf9d..5389bf0bd 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Conference.tsx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Conference.tsx
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ export const Conference = ({
   const {
     status: fetchStatus,
     isError: isFetchError,
+    error: fetchError,
     data,
   } = useQuery({
     queryKey: fetchKey,
@@ -99,6 +100,8 @@ export const Conference = ({
         if (error.statusCode == '404') {
           createRoom({ slug: roomId, username })
         }
+        // A deleted room can't be recreated, surface the error instead
+        if (error.statusCode == '410') throw error
       }),
     retry: false,
   })
@@ -199,6 +202,15 @@ export const Conference = ({
   }, [apiConfig?.livekit])
 
   const { t } = useTranslation('rooms')
+  if (fetchError?.statusCode == 410) {
+    return (
+      <ErrorScreen
+        title={t('error.deletedRoom.heading')}
+        body={t('error.deletedRoom.body')}
+      />
+    )
+  }
+
   if (isCreateError) {
     // this error screen should be replaced by a proper waiting room for anonymous user.
     return (
@@ -283,6 +295,7 @@ export const Conference = ({
                 return
               case DisconnectReason.DUPLICATE_IDENTITY:
               case DisconnectReason.PARTICIPANT_REMOVED:
+              case DisconnectReason.ROOM_DELETED:
                 navigateTo(
                   'feedback',
                   {},
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Lobby.tsx b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Lobby.tsx
index 34ceba21c..9a26c1b2b 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Lobby.tsx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/components/Lobby.tsx
@@ -74,7 +74,9 @@ export const Lobby = ({
   const { openLoginHint } = useLoginHint()
 
   const handleSubmit = async () => {
-    const { data } = await refetchRoom()
+    const { data, error } = await refetchRoom()
+
+    if (error?.statusCode == 410) return
 
     if (!data?.livekit) {
       // Display a message to inform the user that by logging in, they won't have to wait for room entry approval.
@@ -88,7 +90,22 @@ export const Lobby = ({
     enterRoom()
   }
 
-  switch (status) {
+  const isRoomDeleted = isError && error?.statusCode == 410
+  const lobbyStatus = isRoomDeleted ? ApiLobbyStatus.DELETED : status
+
+  switch (lobbyStatus) {
+    case ApiLobbyStatus.DELETED:
+      return (
+        <VStack alignItems="center" textAlign="center">
+          <H lvl={1} margin={false} centered>
+            {t('deleted.title')}
+          </H>
+          <Text as="p" variant="note">
+            {t('deleted.body')}
+          </Text>
+        </VStack>
+      )
+
     case ApiLobbyStatus.TIMEOUT:
       return (
         <VStack alignItems="center" textAlign="center">
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/hooks/useLobby.ts b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/hooks/useLobby.ts
index 2ccf79e8d..ba4d0a3d8 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/hooks/useLobby.ts
+++ b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/hooks/useLobby.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { keys } from '@/api/queryKeys'
+import { ApiError } from '@/api/ApiError'
 import {
   requestEntry,
   ApiLobbyStatus,
@@ -40,24 +41,33 @@ export const useLobby = ({
   const { data: waitingData } = useQuery({
     queryKey: [keys.requestEntry, roomId],
     queryFn: async () => {
-      const response = await requestEntry({
-        roomId,
-        username,
-      })
+      try {
+        const response = await requestEntry({
+          roomId,
+          username,
+        })
 
-      if (response.id) {
-        setLobbyParticipantId(roomId, response.id)
+        if (response.id) {
+          setLobbyParticipantId(roomId, response.id)
+        }
+        if (response.status === ApiLobbyStatus.ACCEPTED) {
+          clearWaitingTimeout()
+          setStatus(ApiLobbyStatus.ACCEPTED)
+          onAccepted(response)
+        } else if (response.status === ApiLobbyStatus.DENIED) {
+          clearWaitingTimeout()
+          setStatus(ApiLobbyStatus.DENIED)
+        }
+        return response
+      } catch (error) {
+        // The room was deleted while waiting, stop polling
+        if (error instanceof ApiError && error.statusCode === 410) {
+          clearWaitingTimeout()
+          setStatus(ApiLobbyStatus.DELETED)
+          return { status: ApiLobbyStatus.DELETED }
+        }
+        throw error
       }
-
-      if (response.status === ApiLobbyStatus.ACCEPTED) {
-        clearWaitingTimeout()
-        setStatus(ApiLobbyStatus.ACCEPTED)
-        onAccepted(response)
-      } else if (response.status === ApiLobbyStatus.DENIED) {
-        clearWaitingTimeout()
-        setStatus(ApiLobbyStatus.DENIED)
-      }
-      return response
     },
     refetchInterval: POLL_INTERVAL_MS,
     refetchOnWindowFocus: false,
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/routes/Feedback.tsx b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/routes/Feedback.tsx
index 7e93ed694..1107694a2 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/routes/Feedback.tsx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/features/rooms/routes/Feedback.tsx
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ const buttonClass = css({
 enum DisconnectReasonKey {
   DuplicateIdentity = 'duplicateIdentity',
   ParticipantRemoved = 'participantRemoved',
+  RoomDeleted = 'roomDeleted',
 }
 
 const FeedbackRoute = () => {
@@ -46,6 +47,8 @@ const FeedbackRoute = () => {
         return DisconnectReasonKey.DuplicateIdentity
       case DisconnectReason.PARTICIPANT_REMOVED:
         return DisconnectReasonKey.ParticipantRemoved
+      case DisconnectReason.ROOM_DELETED:
+        return DisconnectReasonKey.RoomDeleted
     }
   }, [])
 
@@ -56,7 +59,10 @@ const FeedbackRoute = () => {
     }
   }, [])
 
-  const showBackButton = reasonKey !== DisconnectReasonKey.ParticipantRemoved
+  // Rejoining is not possible once removed or once the room is deleted
+  const showBackButton =
+    reasonKey !== DisconnectReasonKey.ParticipantRemoved &&
+    reasonKey !== DisconnectReasonKey.RoomDeleted
 
   return (
     <Screen layout="centered" footer={false}>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/locales/de/rooms.json b/src/frontend/src/locales/de/rooms.json
index 36d45bc94..168da30f7 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/locales/de/rooms.json
+++ b/src/frontend/src/locales/de/rooms.json
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
     "heading": {
       "normal": "Du hast das Meeting verlassen",
       "duplicateIdentity": "Du bist dem Meeting von einem anderen Gerät aus beigetreten",
-      "participantRemoved": "Du wurdest vom Host aus dem Meeting entfernt"
+      "participantRemoved": "Du wurdest vom Host aus dem Meeting entfernt",
+      "roomDeleted": "Dieses Meeting wurde gelöscht"
     },
     "home": "Zur Startseite zurückkehren",
     "back": "Dem Meeting erneut beitreten"
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@
     "timeoutInvite": {
       "title": "Du kannst diesem Meeting nicht beitreten",
       "body": "Niemand hat auf deine Anfrage reagiert"
+    },
+    "deleted": {
+      "title": "Du kannst diesem Meeting nicht beitreten",
+      "body": "Dieses Meeting wurde gelöscht."
     }
   },
   "leaveRoomPrompt": "Hiermit verlässt du das Meeting.",
@@ -215,6 +220,10 @@
       "heading": "Authentifizierung erforderlich",
       "body": "Dieser Raum wurde noch nicht erstellt. Bitte authentifiziere dich, um ihn zu erstellen, oder warte, bis eine authentifizierte Person dies tut."
     },
+    "deletedRoom": {
+      "heading": "Meeting gelöscht",
+      "body": "Dieses Meeting wurde gelöscht und kann nicht mehr betreten werden."
+    },
     "screenShare": {
       "title": "Bildschirmfreigabe nicht möglich",
       "ariaLabel": "Bildschirmfreigabe nicht möglich",
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/locales/en/rooms.json b/src/frontend/src/locales/en/rooms.json
index 0d2486729..40a2b9312 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/locales/en/rooms.json
+++ b/src/frontend/src/locales/en/rooms.json
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
     "heading": {
       "normal": "You have left the meeting",
       "duplicateIdentity": "You have joined the meeting from another device",
-      "participantRemoved": "You have been removed from the meeting by a host"
+      "participantRemoved": "You have been removed from the meeting by a host",
+      "roomDeleted": "This meeting has been deleted"
     },
     "home": "Return to home",
     "back": "Rejoin the meeting"
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@
     "timeoutInvite": {
       "title": "You cannot join this call",
       "body": "No one responded to your request"
+    },
+    "deleted": {
+      "title": "You cannot join this call",
+      "body": "This meeting has been deleted."
     }
   },
   "leaveRoomPrompt": "This will make you leave the meeting.",
@@ -215,6 +220,10 @@
       "heading": "Authentication Required",
       "body": "This room has not been created yet. Please authenticate to create it or wait for an authenticated user to do so."
     },
+    "deletedRoom": {
+      "heading": "Meeting deleted",
+      "body": "This meeting has been deleted and can no longer be joined."
+    },
     "screenShare": {
       "title": "Unable to share your screen",
       "ariaLabel": "Unable to share your screen",
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/locales/es/rooms.json b/src/frontend/src/locales/es/rooms.json
index 242a2b258..4b12087f5 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/locales/es/rooms.json
+++ b/src/frontend/src/locales/es/rooms.json
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
     "heading": {
       "normal": "Has salido de la reunión",
       "duplicateIdentity": "Te has unido a la reunión desde otro dispositivo",
-      "participantRemoved": "Un administrador te ha expulsado de la llamada"
+      "participantRemoved": "Un administrador te ha expulsado de la llamada",
+      "roomDeleted": "Esta reunión ha sido eliminada"
     },
     "home": "Volver al inicio",
     "back": "Volver a la reunión"
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@
     "timeoutInvite": {
       "title": "No puedes participar en esta llamada",
       "body": "Nadie ha respondido a tu solicitud de participación en la llamada"
+    },
+    "deleted": {
+      "title": "No puedes participar en esta llamada",
+      "body": "Esta reunión ha sido eliminada."
     }
   },
   "leaveRoomPrompt": "Volver al inicio hará que salgas de la reunión.",
@@ -215,6 +220,10 @@
       "heading": "Autenticación necesaria",
       "body": "Esta reunión todavía no se ha creado. Autentícate para crearla o espera a que lo haga un usuario autenticado."
     },
+    "deletedRoom": {
+      "heading": "Reunión eliminada",
+      "body": "Esta reunión ha sido eliminada y ya no es posible unirse a ella."
+    },
     "screenShare": {
       "title": "No se puede compartir tu pantalla",
       "ariaLabel": "No se puede compartir tu pantalla",
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/locales/fr/rooms.json b/src/frontend/src/locales/fr/rooms.json
index 73dec24ff..070dba84a 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/locales/fr/rooms.json
+++ b/src/frontend/src/locales/fr/rooms.json
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
     "heading": {
       "normal": "Vous avez quitté la réunion",
       "duplicateIdentity": "Vous avez rejoint la réunion depuis un autre appareil",
-      "participantRemoved": "Vous avez été exclu de l'appel par un administrateur"
+      "participantRemoved": "Vous avez été exclu de l'appel par un administrateur",
+      "roomDeleted": "Cette réunion a été supprimée"
     },
     "home": "Retourner à l'accueil",
     "back": "Réintégrer la réunion"
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@
     "timeoutInvite": {
       "title": "Vous ne pouvez pas participer à cet appel",
       "body": "Personne n'a répondu à votre demande de participation à l'appel"
+    },
+    "deleted": {
+      "title": "Vous ne pouvez pas participer à cet appel",
+      "body": "Cette réunion a été supprimée."
     }
   },
   "leaveRoomPrompt": "Revenir à l'accueil vous fera quitter la réunion.",
@@ -215,6 +220,10 @@
       "heading": "Authentification requise",
       "body": "Cette réunion n'a pas encore été créée. Veuillez vous authentifier pour la créer ou attendre qu'un utilisateur authentifié le fasse."
     },
+    "deletedRoom": {
+      "heading": "Réunion supprimée",
+      "body": "Cette réunion a été supprimée et n'est plus accessible."
+    },
     "screenShare": {
       "title": "Impossible de partager votre écran",
       "ariaLabel": "Impossible de partager votre écran",
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/locales/nl/rooms.json b/src/frontend/src/locales/nl/rooms.json
index cc110aee5..0832bccf7 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/locales/nl/rooms.json
+++ b/src/frontend/src/locales/nl/rooms.json
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
     "heading": {
       "normal": "Je hebt de vergadering verlaten",
       "duplicateIdentity": "U heeft de vergadering via een ander apparaat geopend",
-      "participantRemoved": "U bent door een beheerder uit het gesprek verwijderd"
+      "participantRemoved": "U bent door een beheerder uit het gesprek verwijderd",
+      "roomDeleted": "Deze vergadering is verwijderd"
     },
     "home": "Keer terug naar het hoofdscherm",
     "back": "Sluit weer bij de vergadering aan"
@@ -94,6 +95,10 @@
     "timeoutInvite": {
       "title": "U kunt niet deelnemen aan dit gesprek",
       "body": "Niemand heeft gereageerd op uw verzoek om deel te nemen aan het gesprek"
+    },
+    "deleted": {
+      "title": "U kunt niet deelnemen aan dit gesprek",
+      "body": "Deze vergadering is verwijderd."
     }
   },
   "leaveRoomPrompt": "Dat zal u de vergadering doen verlaten.",
@@ -215,6 +220,10 @@
       "heading": "Verificatie vereist",
       "body": "Deze ruimte is nog niet gemaakt. Logt u alstublieft in om hem aan te maken, of wacht tot een ingelogde gebruiker dat doet."
     },
+    "deletedRoom": {
+      "heading": "Vergadering verwijderd",
+      "body": "Deze vergadering is verwijderd en u kunt er niet meer aan deelnemen."
+    },
     "screenShare": {
       "title": "Kan uw scherm niet delen",
       "ariaLabel": "Kan uw scherm niet delen",