Guides › Rent and Deposits › Asking the Council to Inspect Your Rented Home
Asking the Council to Inspect Your Rented Home
Report the problem to your landlord in writing first, with photos. If it is not fixed in a reasonable time, complain to your council, which can assess the whole home under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). If it finds a serious Category 1 hazard the council must act. You can appeal a council notice to the tribunal, and you should keep paying rent.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
How to Ask
Before You Complain
Raise the problem with your landlord or agent in writing, with photos or video if you can, and keep records. If it is not resolved within a reasonable time, complain to your council with as much detail as you can. Some councils will not visit but may still act. Council tenants complain to the council as landlord and can then go to the Housing Ombudsman. source
Repairs Page
The landlord is always responsible for repairs to the structure and exterior, fire safety, sanitary fittings, heating and hot water, gas appliances, pipes, flues, ventilation and electrical wiring. The council must take action if it believes problems could harm you or cause a nuisance to others. source
What the Council Can Do
Categories
The HHSRS covers 21 hazard types. Category 1 (score 1,000 or more) is high risk and the council is legally obliged to act. Category 2 is moderate or low risk and the council acts only if it considers it necessary. The assessment considers the most vulnerable group, not your actual household, except for overcrowding. source
Notices
The council can issue a Hazard Awareness Notice, an Improvement Notice, a Prohibition Order, or for Category 1 an Emergency Prohibition Order or Emergency Remedial Action. If a landlord does not do required works the council may do them and charge the landlord. source
Your Other Options
You can seek repairs and compensation from your landlord under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, or apply for a rent repayment order where certain offences were committed. The guide advises against withholding rent because of disrepair. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Category 1Serious hazard: council must actScore 1,000 or more
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Report each problem to the landlord in writing and keep dated photos.
Step 2 of 5
Allow a reasonable time, then complain to the council with your evidence.
Step 3 of 5
Answer the council officer's questions and allow access.
Step 4 of 5
Keep paying rent.
Step 5 of 5
If a notice is served, the landlord can appeal to the tribunal; you can still seek advice from Shelter.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Housing Ombudsman
For social housing tenants after the landlord's final response.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland the standards and procedures differ.
A Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman is expected in late 2026 per the government guide.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 14 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/government/publications/housing-health-and-safety-rating-system-hhsrs-tenant-guide/tenant-guide-to-the-housing-health-and-safety-rating-system-hhsrs Checked 14 October 2026
- gov.uk/private-renting/repairs Checked 14 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026