Council housing disrepair claims
Written and reviewed by the RemedyBridge team · Last reviewed June 2026
Quick answer
If you rent from a local council and serious repairs have not been carried out after you reported them, you have the same core legal protections as other tenants, plus access to the council’s complaints process and your landlord’s complaints process. We may be able to review whether a claim may be possible.
Key points
- Councils owe the usual repairing duties.
- Use the council’s complaints procedure first.
- You can use your landlord’s formal complaints process.
- Keep records of reports and responses.
Reporting and escalating
Report repairs through your council’s system and keep the reference number. If the complaint is not resolved, you can use your landlord’s formal complaints process.
You may not need us — free routes first
You can often resolve repairs for free. Depending on your situation you may be able to:
- report repairs to your landlord in writing and keep a dated copy;
- use your landlord’s formal complaints process;
- take dated photos and keep a record of what you reported and when;
- give your landlord a reasonable chance to put things right.
RemedyBridge provides a free initial check for housing disrepair problems in England & Wales. The result is a guide only and never tells you that you definitely have a claim. Checking your situation is free.
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