My landlord is not fixing repairs — what can I do?

Report it in writing first. Email your landlord with a clear description of the problem, photos if possible, and a reasonable deadline to fix it — two weeks is fair for non-urgent repairs. This creates a paper trail, which matters for every step that follows.

If they ignore you or take too long, contact your local council's environmental health team. They have the power to inspect your property and issue a legal notice requiring your landlord to carry out the work. This is free and you don't need a solicitor.

For serious hazards — damp and mould, no heating, a broken boiler in winter, unsafe electrics — councils can act quickly. The legal standard is called the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). If a hazard is assessed as serious under HHSRS, the council can require urgent action.

Under no circumstances should you withhold rent to force repairs — this creates arrears and puts your tenancy at risk, even if you're in the right about the repairs. Keep paying rent while pursuing the repair through the proper channels.

If your landlord has been doing nothing despite repeated requests, search "report a landlord to the council" with your council's name. Shelter England (shelter.org.uk) also has step-by-step guides on getting repairs done.