7 April 2026
How to Report a Bad Landlord in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide
What can you do if your landlord is breaking the law? Who do you report them to? How do you protect yourself? A complete guide for tenants in the UK.
Document everything first
Before making any complaint, gather your evidence. Take photographs of any disrepair, mould, damp, or safety issues. Keep copies of all emails and text messages. Write down dates and times of any verbal conversations. A well-documented complaint is far more likely to succeed than one based on memory alone.
Report to your local council environmental health team
Your local council's environmental health team has legal powers to inspect rental properties and order landlords to make repairs. If your landlord is failing to maintain the property, not providing adequate heating, or there are damp or mould problems, contact environmental health. They can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, and ultimately prosecute landlords who fail to comply.
Report to the council licensing team for HMO issues
If you live in an HMO and your landlord does not have the required licence, or is in breach of their licence conditions, report this to your council's housing licensing team. Operating an unlicensed HMO is a criminal offence. You may also be able to apply for a Rent Repayment Order to reclaim up to 12 months of rent.
Use a letting agent redress scheme
If you rented through a letting agent and they have acted improperly โ charged illegal fees, misrepresented the property, or failed to handle your deposit correctly โ you can complain to their redress scheme. All letting agents in England must belong to either the Property Redress Scheme or The Property Ombudsman. These schemes can award compensation.
Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice
Shelter and Citizens Advice provide free legal guidance to tenants. Shelter has a detailed online help system and a helpline. Citizens Advice can assist with writing formal complaint letters and understanding your rights. For international students, these services are available regardless of your visa status.
Taking court action
As a last resort, you can take your landlord to court. This is relevant if your landlord has not returned your deposit, has not protected your deposit, has harassed you, or has illegally evicted you. Small claims court handles claims up to GBP10,000 and is designed to be accessible without a solicitor. For larger claims or complex cases, seek legal advice first.
Protect yourself before you sign
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