How to report repairs to a private landlord or agent
You can report a repair problem in person, by phone, message, email or letter.
Check if your landlord is responsible for fixing the problem.
Keep records of repairs you've reported.
Use our template to message or email your landlord:
[Use the subject: Request for repairs]
I’m writing to ask for repairs at [your address].
The problems that need to be fixed are [list the repairs needed].
The disrepair might cause more damage to the property if it is not fixed soon.
The problem could affect my health and my family because [explain how it could affect your health].
Please contact me to arrange a time for the repairs.
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
You can also send the letter as an email attachment or by post:
Word template: Request for repairs (docx 14kb)
Report repairs straight away
Tell your landlord about repairs as soon as you can.
Your landlord might say you are responsible for damage if you do not report a problem which gets worse.
Check your tenancy agreement to find out how to report repairs.
Reporting repairs to a letting agent
Contact your letting agent if you rent through them.
Complain to the agent if you are not happy with how they deal with the problem.
You could contact your landlord direct if the letting agent does not respond or do the work.
How soon should problems be fixed?
Your landlord or agent must do repairs in a reasonable time.
'Reasonable' is not a set amount of time.
It depends:
how serious the problem is
who lives in the property
For example, if you report an emergency like a broken boiler in winter, it could be reasonable for your landlord to carry out repairs within 24 hours.
If your landlord tries to evict you
The law has changed
You can only be evicted with a section 21 if you got a valid notice before 1 May 2026.
Before 1 May 2026, you were more at risk of a section 21 notice if you asked for repairs. This is called revenge eviction.
Revenge eviction could still happen if your landlord gave you a valid section 21 eviction notice before 1 May 2026. But you can sometimes stop a revenge eviction.
From 1 May 2026 you can usually only be evicted if your private landlord has a legal reason. They must use a section 8 eviction notice.
Ask your council for help if your landlord:
threatens or harasses you because you ask for repairs
Keep records in writing
You might need to show what you did to contact your landlord if you need to take more action.
Always write to your landlord to tell them:
what the repair problem is
when you reported it
what your landlord said they would do about it
Records can include:
copies of letters and emails with your landlord
dates your landlord came to your home
dates and times of phone calls with your landlord and what was said
If repairs are not done
Contact your landlord or letting agent again if they do not take action.
Write to them to:
remind them of their responsibilities
suggest dates and times when the work could be done
Give your landlord or agent a set time to respond.
Find out what to do if your landlord does not do repairs.
Use our letter templates
We have more letter templates for private tenants who need repairs.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
