Rented property in need of repair

If your rented property needs repairing, you need to report this to your landlord.

If you are unhappy with your landlord's response you can complain to us. We cannot help you until you make a formal complaint to your landlord first.

Inform your landlord officially
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Before you contact your landlord make sure:

the repair is your landlord's responsibility

the conditions are not a result of your own actions or lifestyle

Inform your landlord, verbally and in writing. You must list the problems that need attention. You can use our disrepair letter template:

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Disrepair letter template (Word)
Download DOC (23 KB)

Keep a copy of your letter for your records.
Inform your landlord for a second time if no action is taken
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If no action is taken by your landlord within 28 days of your letter, send a second letter. You can use our second disrepair letter template.

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Second disrepair letter template (Word)
Download DOC (24.5 KB)

Keep a copy of your letter for your records.

The second letter gives the landlord another 14 days to address the issues.
Contact us if no action is taken
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If you do not hear from your landlord and repair work has not been done, you can report a disrepair of your private rented property.

We can arrange for an officer to carry out an inspection of the property. If you have not taken steps 1 and 2, we may not:

be able to take action

inspect the property

use our legal powers

Information you need to supply

You will need to provide all the following information when you contact us. Failure to provide these details may delay us in helping you with your complaint:

your name
your address
your phone number and email address
number and ages of occupants
landlord's name
landlord's address
landlord's phone number and email address
type of benefits, if any, you claim
description of the property e.g. number of bedrooms
date your tenancy began
types of disrepair issues and their location e.g. no running hot water or a water leak in the bathroom

Before you contact us

Notify your landlord as soon as you are aware of a problem
Give your landlord enough time to make repairs. If your boiler is broken, for example, they may need to order parts to repair it
Grant access to your landlord and any tradespeople they use to make repairs
Complain to your landlord in writing if they do not make the necessary repairs
Don't withhold your rent. You could lose your current tenancy and chances of a future tenancy
Don’t wait until after you’ve moved out to complain to us as this means we may not be able to take any action