I Have a Complaint About my Landlord. Who Should I Complain To?
Renting a home should feel safe, stable, and secure—but sometimes issues with landlords can make that difficult. Whether you're dealing with unresolved repairs, poor communication, unsafe living conditions, or even harassment, you have rights as a tenant. Knowing how to escalate your concerns appropriately can make all the difference.
This guide walks you through every step you can take if you need to make a complaint about your landlord in England. From informal conversations to formal legal action, you’ll learn how to handle problems effectively, assert your rights, and get the support you need.
1. Open communication with your landlord
Your first step should naturally be the easiest one – contact your landlord and inform them of your complaint. If you hesitate doing that face-to-face, you can alternatively call them, or send them an email. All of the landlords contact information should be written down on the rent book that your landlord should have provided you with when you moved in.
Keep in mind, that before calling, it would be good for you to think and write down all of your complaints. This way, you’ll be able to refer to your notes while talking to your landlord.
Most landlords will cooperate and help you with your complaints. Nevertheless, there are those cases that they won’t be willing to take any action. In this case, we’ve put together a few helpful steps that can help you handle the complaint process.
2. Write a formal complaint to your landlord
The next step is basically another way of communicating with your landlord but in a more formal, written form. In this formal complaint make sure that you make clear to your landlord, what your issues are.
While writing your formal complaint, keep in mind these useful guidelines:
- State clearly that this letter is a formal complaint. If you are sending an email, write it in the subject line. If you are sending a letter, make sure to write it in the header.
- Be clear when you describe your problem. Don’t get into too much detail, but take extra care to inform your landlord of what you expect them to do to help you. Include things like:
- The time when the issue first occurred
- Photographs of the damages or disrepairs to underline the problem
- Receipts for things or services that you needed to pay until the issue is fixed
- State a certain period of time when you would like to have your response. It’s obvious that even if your landlord is willing to help you, they might not be able to do that right away. Give them enough time to figure out all the details and possible solutions.
Before sending off your letter or email, make some copies of it – it might come in handy in the future.
If, after sending this formal letter of complaint, your landlord still remains unresponsive, then it is time for you to seek external help.
3. Get in Contact with Your Local Council
Your Local Council should have a Tenancy Relations Officer, Private Rental Team or Landlord Liaison Officer. This person or team at the council will help you if the landlord:
- Doesn’t repair potential harmful problems of the house
- Threatens to illegally evict you
- Harasses you, for example by visiting you outside the agreed days and times / not giving enough notice to enter the property
In these cases, they’ll be able to attempt to make contact the landlord and inform them of their legal obligations.
If the landlord ignores this advice, they may be able to prosecute them.
This way, your landlord will obtain criminal record and they might be forced to pay you compensation.
4. Complain to the Health Department
If your complaint concerns a health or safety issue you can also file your complaint to the Environmental Health Department of your Local Council. Contact the Environmental Health Department if you face any of the following problems:
- Faulty or leaky gas appliances
- Dangerous electrical wiring
- Leaky roof
- Damp or mould growth
- Problem with heating or hot water
- Lack of water supply
- Various infestations like that of rats
- Lack of fire safety
5. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Before deciding to take legal action against your landlord, make sure if they belong to an Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme. ADR includes negation, mediation, and arbitration.
In the negotiation phase, you (the tenant and the landlord) try to find a solution yourselves
In the mediation phase, you will sit with your landlord along with a neutral third party and each one of you will lay their arguments. The third-party will then advise you and inform you of your rights and responsibilities
In the arbitration phase, you and your landlord will sit in an informal court. The arbitrator, adjudicator, or ombudsman will look at the evidence that both of you provide him and he will make a decision on your complaint
If the ADR doesn’t work for you, there only one option left: take legal actions. However, this is a time-consuming and expensive process, so make sure that you are willing to spend both time and money.
6. Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP)
If your complaint about your landlord concerns your deposit, then you should seek the advice of your Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme. These are specialised companies, licensed by the government, that oversee the process of deposit returns.
You can find your TDP scheme in one of the three companies:
In case your landlord hasn’t chosen one of those schemes, in a court case the landlord will have to pay up to three times the deposit amount.
7. Seek Legal Advice or Action If Needed
When your landlord continues to ignore the issue or behaves unlawfully, you may need to consider legal action. This could include applying for a court order to force repairs (a disrepair claim), seeking an injunction to stop harassment or illegal eviction, or claiming compensation for loss or distress.
Before taking this step, it’s advisable to get professional advice. Free and low-cost help is available from organisations like Citizens Advice, Shelter, or your local Law Centre. Legal Aid may also be available for some housing issues, depending on your circumstances.
8. Leave a Review and Inform Others
Regardless of the outcome, sharing your experience publicly can help other renters make informed choices. You can leave a review of your landlord or letting agent on Marks Out Of Tenancy. Honest, constructive feedback helps improve standards in the private rental sector and encourages better landlord behaviour.
Conclusion
Whether your complaint is minor—like a dripping tap—or more serious, such as persistent mould, structural hazards, or unlawful eviction threats, it's important to know that you're not alone and that there are clear processes in place to protect you. Your rights as a tenant are backed by law, and there are steps you can take to resolve problems, seek support, and ultimately ensure your home is safe and habitable.
Often, the first and most effective step is simple communication. Before jumping to formal complaints or legal action, try speaking directly with your landlord. Many issues can be resolved quickly with a respectful conversation. However, if this doesn’t lead to meaningful action, don’t hesitate to use the formal channels available to you—whether through your local council, an ombudsman service, or legal support.
Taking action not only helps your own situation—it contributes to improving standards in the private rental sector. One meaningful step you can take right now, regardless of the outcome of your complaint, is to share your experience. Writing a review of your landlord or letting agency on a public platform helps inform and protect future tenants. When renters share honest feedback, it shines a light on landlords who act responsibly—and just as importantly, exposes those who don’t.
Your voice matters. By standing up for fair treatment and encouraging transparency, you help make renting safer and more respectful for everyone.