Repairs in your home
If repairs are needed in your home, check your tenancy agreement for whose responsibility it is to fix them. You should only carry out repairs if the tenancy agreement says you can. If you do not have a copy of the agreement, contact your landlord.
Before you report a property repair
If your landlord is responsible for the repairs you must get in touch with them first before contacting us.
To contact your landlord about repairs follow these steps:
- write to your landlord detailing your complaint, you can use our template letter (PDF 171Kb)
- wait 14 days, to give your landlord the opportunity to fix the repair
- keep copies of all the documents. For example; photographs, letters, email and texts that you've sent to your landlord
How to find contact details for your landlord
It's your landlord’s responsibility to give you their contact details or the details of their agent.
If this information is not on your tenancy agreement or you do not have one, contact Shelter about your rights. If you rent privately you can use the Land Registry to request your landlords details, for a small fee. Always check for their details on any invoices or letters from them first.
We can help you if you've contacted your landlord and they've refused to do the work. Report the problem to us if after 14 days the landlord has not responded to you.
Your private landlord cannot give you a section 21 eviction notice. This means they cannot evict you just because you:
- ask for repairs
- complain about your home
Find out more about the Renters' Rights Act on Shelters website.