Your rights as a tenant
Repairs, inspections, complaints and the protections that apply to council and housing association tenants.
Social housing tenants in the UK have substantial legal protections. Knowing what they are makes it much easier to hold a landlord to account.
The right to a home in repair
Your landlord must keep the structure and exterior in repair, along with installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation and heating. For tenancies covered by the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, the home must also be fit to live in throughout the tenancy. See housing disrepair explained.
The right to complain
Every registered social landlord must operate a complaints procedure that follows the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code, and must tell you how to use it. If they do not resolve your complaint, you can go to the Housing Ombudsman free of charge.
Protection from retaliation
Most council and housing association tenants hold secure or assured tenancies, which give strong protection against eviction. A landlord cannot simply remove you for complaining, and there are also statutory protections against retaliatory eviction in some circumstances. If you are threatened with eviction after raising repairs, get advice immediately from Shelter, Citizens Advice or a housing solicitor.
Access and inspections
Your landlord has a right to enter to inspect and carry out repairs, but they must normally give at least 24 hours' written notice and come at a reasonable time, except in an emergency. Equally, refusing reasonable access can undermine a disrepair complaint, so it is worth arranging a time that works.
Quiet enjoyment
You are entitled to live in your home without unlawful interference from your landlord. Harassment and unlawful eviction are criminal offences.
Awaab's Law
Social landlords must investigate and address damp and mould hazards within strict timescales. If your landlord has not acted on a report of damp or mould, this is worth raising by name in your complaint.
Where to get free advice
- Shelter — housing advice helpline and online guides
- Citizens Advice — free independent advice
- Your council's environmental health team
- The Housing Ombudsman — free complaints service
- A housing solicitor, who you can instruct directly
Related articles
Housing disrepair explained
What the law requires of your landlord, and when a problem becomes a claim.
Read more →Using the Housing Ombudsman
A free, independent service for complaints about social landlords.
Read more →Can I claim myself?
How to raise a disrepair complaint yourself, free of charge.
Read more →Evidence checklist
What to photograph, keep and write down, whoever you deal with.
Read more →Housing disrepair claims
What counts as disrepair, what a claim can achieve, and how the process works.
Read more →Damp and mould guide
Telling the types apart, the health effects, and what your landlord should do.
Read more →Tell us what is wrong with your home
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