When a landlord ignores repair requests
Written by The RemedyBridge editorial team · Updated 19 August 2026 · How we write
Quick answer
If your landlord is ignoring repair requests, put your reports in writing, use their formal complaints process, and keep a record of every contact. For social landlords you can escalate to the Housing Ombudsman; for serious hazards, contact your local council’s Environmental Health team. We may be able to review whether a claim may be possible.
Key points
- Put everything in writing and keep copies.
- Use the formal complaints process.
- Escalate to the Housing Ombudsman (social landlords).
- Councils can inspect serious hazards.
Build a clear record
A simple, dated timeline of what you reported and what happened is the single most useful thing you can prepare. Our chronology builder can help.
Put the next step in writing
Being ignored is the point at which escalating in writing matters most. Our repair letter templates include a chaser that refers back to your original report and its date, and a formal complaint for when chasing has not worked. For social tenants the complaint stage is the one that matters: you normally have to finish your landlord’s complaints procedure before the Housing Ombudsman will look at the case.
If your landlord is a council or housing association
Being ignored has a further consequence for social tenants: where the problem is a serious hazard, your landlord is working to fixed statutory periods that started when you reported it. A missed deadline is a dated, quotable failure. We cover what those periods are on Awaab’s Law.
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.
Not sure where you stand?
Take the free, anonymous check — no personal details needed to start.
Check your situation