Disrepair

If disrepair affects a tenant’s health or safety, they should first report it the landlord in writing. This provides a record of the request. A template letter is available for download to help with this process.

Download the template letter to Landlord

If the issue isn’t fixed or becomes ongoing, the Council can step in and investigate. You must have contacted your landlord first before we can investigate or take enforcement action.

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Section 9A) - as strengthened by the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 - landlords must ensure properties are fit for human habitation at the start and throughout the tenancy. A home may be considered unfit if hazards such as severe damp, unsafe electrics, poor ventilation, or inadequate sanitation pose a risk to health or safety.

Tenants have the right to take legal action if these standards are not met. Courts can order repairs, award compensation, or issue injunctions. Landlords should act promptly on disrepair concerns to avoid liability under Section 11 (repairs) and Section 9A (fitness for habitation).

For more details, see the official guidance: Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 – GOV.UK.

Property inspections and hazard assessment

Under the HHSRS, local authorities assess homes using a risk-based system, reviewing 29 potential hazards—from damp and mould to falls and electrical risks. For detailed information on how hazards are evaluated during an inspection, refer to the official HHSRS Operating Guidance: Housing Health and Safety Rating System – Operating Guidance (HHSRS).

A hazard is defined as any condition that poses a risk of harm to tenants’ health or safety and could be prevented through reasonable measures—whether gradual, like damp and mould, or immediate, such as trips or burn risks.