Problems with a landlord

If you are a Council or housing association tenant and you are having problems with your landlord, the first thing you should do is contact your Housing Officer for advice.

Landlord has asked you to leave

If your landlord has asked you to leave you should contact us for advice straight away. We will look into the reasons you are being asked to leave, and work with you and your landlord to see if you can stay in your home.

Most private tenants are assured shorthold tenants. This means that your landlord will need to obtain a court order to evict you. You should not agree to move out until your landlord has completed the legal process and if you have not yet arranged alternative accommodation. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to rehouse you so you must seek advice.

Landlord wants to move back into the property

If your landlord wants to move back into the property you are renting, they must give you a valid written notice. In most cases once the notice has expired they will then need to apply for a court order. Your landlord must follow the correct legal procedure to end your tenancy. If they give you notice you should seek advice straight away.

Landlord is not carrying out repairs

The home you rent should provide somewhere healthy and safe for you to live. Your landlord is responsible for ensuring the property is in a satisfactory condition, although which repairs they are responsible for will vary depending on your tenancy agreement.

Typically a landlord will always be responsible for:

the structure and exterior of the property
heating and hot water
basins, sinks, baths and toilets
water, gas and electricity supply and meters

If you have reported a problem and your landlord is not responding, please contact us. If necessary a member of our Environmental Health team can visit you at home to assess any defects and advise you what action can be taken.

If your landlord wants to enter the property to inspect it or carry out any repairs, they need to give you 24 hours notice. You may agree to them entering the property sooner if the problem is urgent.

For further information please see:

Landlord wants to increase the rent

If your landlord wants to increase your rent, there are three ways that they can do this legally:

they ask you to OK more and you agree
they give you a new tenancy agreement detailing an increased rent, which you sign
they give you a property notice of rent increase, under Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988

If your landlord wants to increase your rent and you are worried you are not able to afford it, please contact us for advice. If you are receiving Housing Benefit, any increase in rent may not be covered by Housing Benefit.

Landlord is harassing you

You should be able to live in your home without risk of being threatened or harassed. If your landlord is harassing you, entering your home without advance notice or threatening to interfere with your gas or electricity supplies, please contact us for advice.

Make a complaint

If you are concerned that the condition of your rented home is seriously affecting your health and safety, you can contact our Public Health & Regulation Team for advice or to make a complaint: