An ombudsman or letting agent redress scheme can:

• look at tenant complaints about repairs or bad conditions

• tell your landlord or agent to fix problems in your home

• order or recommend compensation in some situations

These schemes are free and independent.

It's an easier process than going to court. You will still need evidence.

You cannot usually complain to an ombudsman if you have already started court action or a court has made a decision on the same issue.

Council and housing association tenants

You can complain to the Housing Ombudsman.

They investigate complaints and resolve disputes between social landlords and their tenants.

They could tell your landlord to:

• fix problems in your home

• pay you compensation

Find out how to complain to the Housing Ombudsman about repairs.

If you rent through a letting agent

All letting and property agents must belong to one of these redress schemes:

• the Property Ombudsman

• the Property Redress Scheme

The redress scheme your agent belongs to can look into your complaint. You need to complain to the agent first.

The scheme can order the agent to put things right and pay you compensation.

Compensation amounts

These schemes award compensation in a different way to the courts.

Housing Ombudsman decisions are on their website. You can check compensation amounts in other people's cases. Filter your search. Select 'property condition' in complaint category.

Property Redress Scheme case studies are on their website.

In 2022 the average compensation award from the Property Ombudsman was £504.