Help From Your Local Council
At a Glance
If your landlord isn’t meeting their legal responsibilities, your local council may be able to investigate and take enforcement action. Councils have an important role in protecting tenants from unsafe housing, serious disrepair, harassment and other breaches of housing law.
However, councils can’t resolve every disagreement between landlords and tenants. Understanding what they can—and can’t—help with will save time and ensure your concerns are directed to the right organisation.
What Can Your Council Help With?
- Serious disrepair.
- Damp and mould affecting health.
- Unsafe electrical installations.
- Gas safety concerns.
- Fire safety hazards.
- Structural problems.
- Excess cold or lack of heating.
- Dangerous stairs, floors or ceilings.
- Pest infestations linked to defects in the property.
- Illegal eviction.
- Landlord harassment.
- Licensing issues relating to certain rented properties.
What Your Council Can't Usually Help With
- Personality clashes between landlords and tenants.
- Minor disagreements about tenancy terms.
- Deposit disputes (unless another issue is involved).
- Rent negotiations.
- General neighbour disagreements.
- Private contractual disputes that don't involve breaches of housing law.
When Should You Contact the Council?
You should usually give your landlord a reasonable opportunity to deal with the problem first, unless the situation is urgent.
You may wish to contact your council if:
- Serious repairs have been repeatedly ignored.
- The property is affecting your health or safety.
- You’re concerned about illegal eviction or harassment.
- There are serious housing hazards.
- You believe your landlord is breaching housing legislation.
If there’s an immediate danger to life or a crime is taking place, contact the emergency services rather than waiting for the council.
What Information Should You Provide?
The more information you can provide, the easier it may be for the council to understand your concerns.
Useful information includes:
- Your address.
- Your landlord’s or letting agent’s details, if known.
- A description of the problem.
- When it started.
- Copies of emails or messages.
- Photographs or videos.
- Details of any impact on your health or safety.
- What you’ve already done to resolve the issue.
Having your evidence organised before making contact can help the investigation progress more smoothly.
What Happens After You Report a Problem?
Every council follows its own procedures, but you can usually expect them to:
- Assess the information you’ve provided.
- Decide whether the matter falls within their powers.
- Contact you if further information is needed.
- Arrange an inspection if appropriate.
- Decide whether any enforcement action is necessary.
Not every report results in formal action. The council will consider the seriousness of the issue and the evidence available before deciding how to proceed.
What Powers Does the Council Have?
Depending on the circumstances, councils may be able to:
- Inspect rented properties.
- Assess housing conditions using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
- Require landlords to deal with serious hazards.
- Investigate allegations of illegal eviction or harassment.
- Enforce certain licensing requirements.
- Investigate breaches of tenancy legislation introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
Since 1 May 2026, local housing authorities in England have additional duties and powers to enforce new requirements under the Renters’ Rights Act, alongside their existing housing enforcement responsibilities.
Will My Landlord Know I've Contacted the Council?
In many cases, yes.
If the council investigates, your landlord will usually become aware that concerns have been raised. However, councils understand that some tenants worry about reporting problems and will normally explain how they intend to investigate.
If you’re concerned about harassment or retaliation, mention this when speaking to the council so they understand your concerns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Contacting the council before reporting the issue to your landlord (unless it's an emergency or particularly serious).
- Providing very little information.
- Throwing away evidence.
- Assuming the council can resolve every disagreement.
- Ignoring requests for further information.
- Waiting until the problem becomes much worse before seeking help.
Council Investigation Checklist
- Have I reported the issue to my landlord?
- Have I kept copies of my communication?
- Have I taken photographs or videos?
- Can I explain how the issue affects me?
- Do I have a timeline of events?
- Do I know who manages my tenancy?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which department should I contact?
Most councils deal with private rented housing through their Private Sector Housing or Environmental Health team. Check your council’s website to find the correct contact details.
Can the council inspect my home?
Yes. If the issue falls within their powers, the council may arrange to inspect the property before deciding whether enforcement action is necessary.
Will the council force my landlord to carry out repairs?
If they identify serious hazards or breaches of housing law, they may require your landlord to take action using their statutory enforcement powers.
Does it cost anything to contact the council?
No. Reporting concerns to your local council is generally free.
What if the council can’t help?
If your issue falls outside the council’s powers, they may signpost you to another organisation or you may need to consider mediation, a redress scheme (if a letting agent is involved) or independent legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Local councils play an important role in enforcing housing law.
- They can investigate serious disrepair, unsafe housing, harassment and illegal eviction.
- Not every landlord and tenant disagreement falls within their powers.
- Provide as much evidence as possible when reporting a problem.
- You should usually report the issue to your landlord first, unless the situation is urgent.
- Councils now have additional enforcement duties under the Renters' Rights Act alongside their existing housing enforcement powers.
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