Complaints

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

This section explains how and when it may be appropriate to make a complaint, and gives tips on what to say. It covers complaints about all types of landlords, lenders, freeholders, solicitors and agents.  

When to complain

Explains when a complaint is the best option, and who you should send your complaint to.

How to complain

Outlines how complaints procedures usually work and gives tips on what to say.

Complaints about councils

How to complain if you are not satisfied with the services you have received from your local council. Includes complaints by council tenants.

Complaints about housing associations

You can complain about a housing association using the association’s formal complaints procedure. If you are not satisfied, the Housing Ombudsman Service may consider your complaint.

Complaints about private landlords

If complaining to your landlord gets you nowhere, the council's tenancy relations officer or environmental health department may be able to help.

Complaints about lenders

How to complain to your lender and, if necessary, the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Complaints about freeholders

Flat owners and other leaseholders can complaint direct to their freeholder, contact the environmental health officer or use their legal rights.

Complaints about solicitors

Explains the different ways in which you may be able to make a complaint about a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.

Complaints about estate agents

Explains how to complain to the Trading Standards Officer or the Office of Fair Trading.

Complaints about letting agents

You can complain to your landlord or to the letting agent themselves. If you are not happy with the response, you may be able to complain further to a professional association

Complaints about managing agents

Leaseholders can complain about a managing agent in a number of ways.

Complaining to professional membership schemes

If you are unhappy with an estate agent, letting agent or managing agent, there may be a professional membership association that you can complain to.


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