Guides › Rent and Deposits › Landlord Won't Do Repairs
Landlord Won't Do Repairs
Your landlord is always responsible for repairs to the structure and exterior, heating and hot water, gas appliances, electrical wiring, sanitary fittings and fire safety. If repairs are not done, contact your council's environmental health team, which must take action if the problem could harm you.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Landlord's Repairs
What They Must Fix
Your landlord is always responsible for repairs to: the property's structure and exterior; fire safety issues; basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings; heating and hot water; gas appliances; electrical wiring. They are usually responsible for repairing common areas. source
If Nothing Happens
Contact the environmental health department at your local council. It must take action if it thinks the problems could harm you or cause a nuisance to others. In Scotland, tenants can apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- In writingReport each repairKeep a copy and the date
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Report the repair in writing with photos. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 2 of 5
Allow access for the repair at a reasonable time.
Step 3 of 5
Chase in writing if nothing happens.
Step 4 of 5
Contact council environmental health.
Step 5 of 5
Keep paying rent: withholding it can put your home at risk.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Landlord, in Writing
Always start here.
Council Environmental Health
If the landlord does not act.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
For damp and mould, see our damp and mould guide for extra rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/private-renting/repairs Checked 13 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026