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Housing Disrepair Complaint Letter

Use this template

#Before You Send

✅ Take photos and videos of all disrepair

✅ Note the date you first reported it verbally

✅ Keep copies of everything you send

✅ Send by email (for proof) or recorded delivery

#Template Letter

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postcode]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number]
[Date]

[Landlord's Name / Managing Agent]
[Their Address]
[City, Postcode]

Subject: Formal Notice of Disrepair – [Your Address]

Dear [Landlord's Name / Sir or Madam],

I am writing to formally report disrepair at the above property, which you are responsible for maintaining under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Property Address: [Full address of property]
Tenancy Start Date: [Date]

#The Disrepair

I am reporting the following issues:

1. [Issue 1 – e.g., Damp and mould in bedroom]

  • Location: [e.g., Bedroom 1, north-facing wall]
  • First noticed: [Date]
  • First reported to you: [Date and method]
  • Current condition: [Describe – e.g., "Black mould covering approximately 2 square metres, causing musty smell"]

2. [Issue 2 – e.g., Boiler not working]

  • Location: [e.g., Kitchen]
  • First noticed: [Date]
  • First reported to you: [Date and method]
  • Current condition: [Describe – e.g., "No heating or hot water for 5 days"]

3. [Issue 3 – e.g., Leaking roof]

  • Location: [e.g., Bathroom ceiling]
  • First noticed: [Date]
  • First reported to you: [Date and method]
  • Current condition: [Describe – e.g., "Water dripping through ceiling when it rains, bucket required"]

[Add or remove issues as needed]

#Impact on Me/My Family

These issues have caused:

  • [e.g., Health problems – respiratory issues due to mould]
  • [e.g., Unable to use bedroom – sleeping in living room]
  • [e.g., Damage to personal belongings]
  • [e.g., Increased heating costs due to broken windows]
  • [e.g., Distress and inconvenience]

[If you have medical evidence or have seen a doctor, mention this]

Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you are legally required to:

  • Keep in repair the structure and exterior of the property
  • Keep in repair and proper working order installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, and heating

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, you must ensure the property is fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy.

I am formally putting you on notice of these defects.

#Action Required

Please arrange for inspection and repair of all issues listed above within 14 days of this letter.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response or repairs are not completed within a reasonable timeframe, I may:

  1. Report the matter to the Environmental Health department at [Council Name]
  2. [For social housing] Escalate to the Housing Ombudsman
  3. [For private landlords] Seek legal advice about court action
  4. Claim compensation for the period I have been affected

#Evidence Enclosed

I have attached the following evidence:

  • Photographs of disrepair (dated)
  • Previous correspondence about these issues
  • Medical evidence (if applicable)
  • Receipts for damaged belongings (if applicable)

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter within 7 days and provide a schedule for repairs.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

#After You Send

#If You're in Social Housing

For council or housing association tenants:

  • Exhaust the landlord's complaints process first
  • Then escalate to the Housing Ombudsman (free)
  • Website: housing-ombudsman.org.uk

#If You're a Private Tenant

For private landlords:

  • Contact your local council's Environmental Health team
  • They can inspect and issue improvement notices
  • You may be able to claim through small claims court
  • Consider getting legal advice for serious cases