Repairs in your council or housing association home
Problems during repairs
Your council or housing association must make sure repairs are done well.
Letter template: If the problem is not fixed
Copy our template into an email to the repairs team. You could also send photos or videos of the problem.
[Use the subject: Problems with repairs work]
I’m contacting you about the repairs done recently at [your address].
The problems that needed to be fixed were [say what repairs you asked for].
The problems have not been fixed. [Give details. For example, pipes are still leaking].
Please contact me in the next 2 days to arrange for these problems to be fixed straight away. I look forward to hearing from you.
You can also send the letter as an email attachment or by post:
Word template: Problems with repairs (docx 16kb)
Letter template: If contractors do not turn up
Copy our template into an email to the repairs team.
[Use the subject: Contractors did not turn up]
I’m contacting you about the repairs that need to be done at [your address].
Contractors were meant to come to the property to look at the problems on [date]. They did not turn up.
They did not let me know that they would not come.
Please contact me in the next 2 days to arrange another time for the contractors to come to my home.
I look forward to hearing from you.
You can also send the letter as an email attachment or by post:
Word template: When contractors do not turn up (docx 16kb)
OpenDocument template: When contractors do not turn up (odt 9kb)
If your landlord uses a private company for repairs
Complain to your council or housing association if the company does not do the repairs.
Do not let your landlord tell you that it is the private company's problem. Your landlord must make sure repairs are done.
Damage caused by repairs
Your landlord must fix damage caused by:
disrepair
repair work done to fix the problem
For example, your landlord should:
repair any damaged plaster or wall coverings
repaint where needed
replace any damaged items such as carpets
You can claim compensation if repair work damages your belongings.
Disruption during repairs
Talk to your landlord about paying less rent if repair work gets in the way of your everyday life or if you cannot use rooms while the work is done.
If your landlord refuses, you could take them to court to claim compensation.
You do not have the right to:
be rehoused while repairs are done
stop paying rent during repairs
Your landlord should have a policy on rehousing and paying less rent during repairs. Ask them for a copy.
Use of your electricity and water
The repair people may have to use your electricity, gas and other services during repairs.
Ask your landlord to contribute to your bills if you think they have used too much or the repairs take a long time.
Compensation
If you are a council tenant using the right to repair scheme for small repairs, you can claim compensation if the work goes over time limits.
Last updated: 27 October 2025
