Housing disrepair claims in England
Written and reviewed by the RemedyBridge team · Last reviewed June 2026
Quick answer
In England, landlords must keep rented homes in repair and fit to live in. Social housing tenants can escalate unresolved complaints to your landlord’s complaints process, and new requirements under Awaab’s Law set timescales for social landlords to address serious damp and mould. If repairs remain unresolved, a specialist may be able to review a claim.
Key points
- Repairing duties come mainly from the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
- Social housing complaints can be escalated to your landlord’s complaints process.
- Awaab’s Law introduces timescales for social landlords to act on damp and mould hazards.
- Local councils can inspect serious hazards under the HHSRS.
Your landlord’s duties in England
Most tenants in England are covered by section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which requires landlords to keep the structure and exterior in repair and to maintain installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 also requires homes to be fit to live in.
The landlord complaints process and councils
If you rent from a council or housing association and have exhausted the landlord’s complaints process, you can use your landlord’s formal complaints process. For serious hazards, your local landlord’s complaints process can inspect under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Awaab’s Law and damp and mould
Awaab’s Law introduces requirements for social landlords in England to investigate and address damp and mould within set timescales. If you are a social tenant affected by damp or mould, keep a clear record of when you reported it and what was done.
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this apply to private tenants in England?
- Private tenants are covered by the core repairing duties and the fitness-for-habitation requirements, but your landlord’s complaints process route is for social landlords. Private tenants can approach their council for serious hazards.
Sources
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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