Complaints about housing conditions and disrepair
Property defects in private rented homes
Private tenants should approach their landlord at the earliest opportunity if they become aware of a defect in the property. It is advisable to put this concern in writing and keep a record of it. The following letter may be used as a guide and could be sent as an email:
If after a reasonable time to put the matter right it remains unresolved or your landlord refuses to do any remedial work, then you can contact your local Council Private Sector Housing service for further advice. The Council can carry out a Housing Health and Safety Risk Assessment (HHSRS) of your home and has powers to order landlords to carry out work, issue fixed penalties or prosecute where offences occur.
If you are a tenant of a Social Landlord (Housing Association) then it is advisable to make a formal complaint via your landlords scheme, if your complaint is not addressed within a reasonable time. Your landlord's website will give details of the complaints process and how to escalate the complaint to the Ombudsman for social housing if a satisfactory resolution is not reached when the complaint process is completed.
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