Making a complaint about poor repairs

A letter you can copy

What to do:

  • Copy and paste the text below into an email or document.
  • Replace any text [in brackets] with your own information
  • Include details {in curly brackets} if they are relevant, or remove them if they are not.
  • Send the email to your landlord, or print out the document and send it by post.
  • If you are sending by post, keep a copy for yourself and a record of the date that the message was sent.

[Your address]
[Today’s date]

[Name of your contact or landlord]
[Your landlord’s address]

[Your rent/tenant ID number]
{REF: any reference number you were given when previously raising this subject}

Dear [your landlord’s name],

I am a tenant of [name of your block or building] and I am writing to record a complaint about the poor standard of repairs that were recently undertaken in my accommodation.

On [date/s], repairs were carried out on [the item or feature that was repaired].

However, these [were ineffective/are of a low standard/have created an unsafe situation/have made things worse]. [Add details of the problem/s].

I would be grateful if you would contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange a visit, during which I can show you the problem and discuss its rectification.

I look forward to receiving your reply as a matter of urgency, but by [date, two weeks in the future] at the latest.

Yours sincerely,
[sign your name]
[print your name]


If you don’t get an answer within two weeks


Related guides

A towerblock that is not being kept in good repair A towerblock that is not being kept in good repair

Reference

What does disrepair mean?

‘Disrepair’ is the opposite of keeping a property in good condition. It means the landlord is allowing problems to develop, and not doing anything about it.  By law, your landlord must make sure that your residence is in a good state of repair. This includes: keeping the structure (walls, roof, floors etc) safe and sound.  […]

Reference

What is the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018?

What does ‘fitness for human habitation’ mean? It’s the name of a law that protects tenants from having to live in properties that are unsafe or unhealthy.
Two doors with a staircase between them. Photo by Nick Chalkiadakis Two doors with a staircase between them. Photo by Nick Chalkiadakis

Tools you can use

Making a formal complaint

If you have made a request to your landlord and you’re not getting results, then what can you do next to get things fixed?

Letter

Asking for repairs

Use this letter to ask your landlord to make a repair to your flat or tower block.
A woman throwing paper planes A woman throwing paper planes

Tools you can use

Contacting your landlord

Tips and letter templates to help you communicate with your landlord when there’s something wrong, or you want to find out more.