Home and Housing
Ask the council to check if your rented home needs repairs
Summary
If you're renting from the council, this information will be of limited use to you. Some Environmental Health departments may serve informal notices on the council. However, because the Environmental Health department is part of the council, this means that it can’t take formal action against itself. If you're renting from the council and your landlord's failure to make repairs is affecting your health or causing a nuisance, you could take action yourself in the magistrates’ court. You will need help from a specialist adviser or a solicitor to do this. Taking court action can be expensive and legal aid isn't available for someone to represent you, but you may be entitled to advice and assistance to prepare for court action. Taking court action should be a last resort so it's best to consider other options first. If you’re worried about being evicted, your landlord can’t evict you just because you complain. They can only evict you for specific reasons - for example if you have rent arrears or they decide to sell the property. Your landlord has to give you a document called a ‘section 8 notice’ to evict you. They have to use the right process and explain on the notice why they want.
Key information
- More about other options for council tenants
- there's a hazard in your home which is a risk to your health or safety
- your home is in such a state that it's harmful to your health or is a nuisance, called a 'statutory nuisance'
- fire risks - for example, unsafe cladding, faulty electrical equipment or lack of fire alarms
- asbestos or dangerous gases - for example, carbon monoxide from faulty gas boilers
- problems keeping a property secure - for example, faulty locks or lack of burglar alarms
- too much noise or poor lighting
- risk of infection - for example, from pests, a poor water supply or drains
- risk of accidents - for example, from trips or falls, electrical hazards or parts of the building collapsing
- dampness, condensation and mould growth
- faulty or dangerous gas or electrical installations
- vermin or insect infestations
Practical guidance
Related topics
More in this area
Sources
- Citizens Advice — Ask the council to check if your rented home needs repairs
This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.