Free help options
Written by The RemedyBridge editorial team · How we write
Quick answer
You can often resolve repairs for free. Report the problem to your landlord and use their complaints process; escalate to the Housing Ombudsman if you rent from a social landlord; contact your local council’s Environmental Health team for serious hazards; and get free advice from Citizens Advice or Shelter.
Key points
- Free routes should always be your first port of call.
- Social tenants can escalate to the Housing Ombudsman.
- Councils can inspect serious hazards.
- Citizens Advice and Shelter offer free help.
Free routes available to you
- Report repairs to your landlord and use their formal complaints procedure.
- Escalate unresolved social-housing complaints to the Housing Ombudsman.
- Contact your local council’s Environmental Health team about serious hazards.
- Get free advice from Citizens Advice or Shelter.
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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