Guides › Rent and Deposits › How to Report a Private Landlord to the Council
How to Report a Private Landlord to the Council
GOV.UK says to complain to your landlord first using their complaints policy, then raise it with a designated person such as your MP, a local councillor or a tenant panel, and then contact your council. For repairs, the council's environmental health team must take action if it thinks the problems could harm you or cause a nuisance to others.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Complaining
Order of Steps
Complain to your landlord first; they should have a complaints policy. If it is not resolved, contact a designated person: your MP, a local councillor or a tenant panel. If you still cannot resolve it, contact your council or local authority. source
Repairs and Safety
Report problems to your landlord straight away, especially faults that could damage health, and keep paying rent while you wait. If repairs are not done, contact your council's environmental health department, which must take action if it thinks the problems could harm you or cause a nuisance to others. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayReport health risksTo your landlord, then the council
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Put your complaint to the landlord in writing.
Step 2 of 5
Give a reasonable time and keep proof.
Step 3 of 5
Contact your MP or a councillor if it is not resolved.
Step 4 of 5
Report repairs and hazards to the council's environmental health team.
Step 5 of 5
Ask the council how it will contact your landlord and what it will share.
(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.
Find Your MP (UK Parliament)
Your MP can take up housing complaints.
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.
Use our Council Finder to reach the right council department.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing rules.
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: 15 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/private-renting/complaints Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/private-renting/repairs Checked 15 October 2026
- members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP Checked 8 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