UK’s leading housing and homelessness charity Shelter acknowledges the fact that it is often very difficult to get the landlord to do the repairs. A very useful step by step guide (with sample letters) has been put together for tenants to use.
GETTING REPAIRS DONE
Reporting repairs
Always report the problem to your landlord in writing. Call if the problem is urgent.
Complaining about repair work not done
If your landlord does not carry out the repairs, you can write to them again, explaining that if repairs are not carried out within a certain time frame, you will take further action.
The action you can take will depend on the nature of the repairs needed and what sort of tenancy you have. If you rent privately, your landlord may try to evict you rather than do the repairs. Always consider the risks and talk to an adviser before you take action!
Warning your landlord that you’re contacting the council
If the state of your home is affecting your health, the environmental health department of your local council may be able to help you take action. Before contacting them, write to your landlord to let them know – this may spur them into action. Remember that council tenants do not have this option.
Doing repairs yourself
If your landlord is refusing to carry out repairs or is being unreasonably slow in getting the work done, you might be able to do the repairs yourself and pay for them out of the rent. However, this is very risky as you may put yourself at risk of eviction. Always get help from a specialist housing adviser before you decide to take action in this way.
Even if you have very strong tenancy rights, you must follow the correct procedureand send all four of the following separate letters in order:
- Letter 1: explain that you are going to do the work yourself unless the repairs are done within a reasonable time.
- Letter 2: Send your landlord quotations for doing the work from three reputable contractors. Explain that you are going to go ahead with the cheapest quote unless your landlord arranges for the repairs to be done within a certain time.
- You’ll need to pay for the work yourself and send your landlord the receipt. Use letter 3 to enclose a copy of the receipt from the cheapest contractor and ask for your money back.
- If your landlord does not give you back the money, use letter 4 to explain that you are going to deduct the money from your future rent. You must have sent the first three letters before you attempt to do this.
Download sample letters from Shelter
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