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Complaint to the council about a rented home in poor condition (England)
England · in English · for tenants
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For a private tenant in England whose landlord has not dealt with serious problems — damp and mould, no heating, dangerous electrics, vermin. The letter asks the council’s private sector housing or environmental health team to inspect the home under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004) and take action against the landlord. Many councils have a free online form, which you can use instead; this letter sets out the problems, the history of your reports and the photos in one place, by post or email.
- Made for use in England
- Last updated October 28, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- Your private landlord in England ignores serious damp, cold or unsafe wiring in your home.
- You have written to your landlord several times and want the council to inspect.
- There are mice or rats in your rented home and the landlord will not deal with it.
- You want to ask the council’s environmental health team to step in.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Tenant
- Tenant's address
- Town or city
- Tenant's postcode
- Date
- Council and team (private sector housing or environmental health)
- Council's postal address, with the postcode on the last line
- Landlord
- Landlord's address
- Landlord's postcode
- The repairs needed, room by room, and when each problem began
- When and how you reported the problems, and any reply
- Effect on your health, belongings or use of the home (optional)
- When you can give access for an inspection or repairs (optional)
Common questions
- Should I tell my landlord before complaining to the council in England?
- Usually yes: most councils ask whether the landlord was told in writing and given time to act, unless there is an immediate danger such as a gas leak or no heating in winter. Send the repair letter first, keep a copy, and enclose it with this complaint so the council sees the history.
- What powers does the council have over a private landlord in England?
- After an inspection, the council can serve an improvement notice requiring works by a set date, make a prohibition order stopping the use of part or all of the home, or take emergency action for the most serious hazards. A landlord who does not comply can be fined or prosecuted, and the council can do the works itself and recover the cost.
- Can my landlord end my tenancy because I complained to the council?
- Since 1 May 2026 a private landlord in England can only seek possession on a ground under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, proved in court, and complaining about conditions is not one. The inspection is free. Keep paying the rent while the council acts, so that arrears never give the landlord a ground.
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