Should I complain to my landlord in writing?

Yes. Written complaints create a formal record with a clear date. This is essential if you later need to escalate the matter to the local authority, an ombudsman or the courts. Send by recorded delivery or email with read receipt.

What can I complain to my landlord about?

You can complain about disrepair, health and safety hazards, harassment, failure to protect your deposit, breach of tenancy terms, noise from other tenants in the same building, failure to provide required documents, and any other issue affecting your tenancy.

Can my landlord evict me for complaining?

The Deregulation Act 2015 provides protection against retaliatory eviction. If you have made a legitimate complaint, your landlord has not resolved it, and the local authority has served an improvement notice, a Section 21 notice cannot be served for six months.

What if my landlord does not respond?

If your landlord does not respond within a reasonable time, you may escalate the matter. Options include contacting the local authority's environmental health team, referring to the Housing Ombudsman (for social housing), or seeking legal advice.

Can I report my landlord to the council?

Yes. If your complaint relates to the condition of the property, you can contact your local authority's environmental health department. They can inspect the property and take enforcement action under the Housing Act 2004 if they find a hazard.

Should I stop paying rent if my landlord ignores my complaint?

No. You should continue paying rent in full. Withholding rent could put you in breach of your tenancy agreement and give the landlord grounds for possession. Instead, pursue the complaint through the proper channels.

Complaint Letter to Landlord Template

A complaint letter to a landlord is a formal written communication from a tenant raising concerns about the condition of the property, the landlord's conduct, or any other issue affecting the tenancy.

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Tenant Details

Your Full Name (Tenant)*

Your Address (the rented property)*

Landlord Details

Landlord's Full Name*

Landlord's Address*

Property Details

Property Address*

Complaint Details

Details of Your Complaint*

Previous Communications About This Issue

Desired Resolution*

Response Deadline (days)

The number of days you expect a response within

Details

Date of Letter*

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[tenantName] [tenantAddress] [todayDate] [landlordName] [landlordAddress] Dear [landlordName], FORMAL COMPLAINT — [propertyAddress] I am writing to formally raise a complaint in relation to the above property, where I am your tenant. DETAILS OF COMPLAINT [complaintDetails] I would be grateful for a prompt response to this complaint. If I do not receive a satisfactory response, I may need to consider further action, which may include: - Reporting the matter to the local authority's environmental health department - Referring the matter to the relevant ombudsman service - Seeking independent legal advice - Pursuing a claim through the county court I trust that this matter can be resolved amicably and I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, ____________________________ [tenantName] Date: [todayDate] Sent by: [Recorded delivery / Email with read receipt]

Important Notes

Legal Disclaimer

Tenants' rights in England and Wales are protected by multiple statutes. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 imposes repair obligations on landlords. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (amending the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985) requires properties to be fit for human habitation. The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes it a criminal offence for a landlord to harass a tenant or use unlawful means to evict them. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination. Under the Deregulation Act 2015, landlords cannot serve a retaliatory Section 21 notice where the tenant has made a legitimate complaint and the local authority has taken action. For social housing tenants, the Housing Ombudsman Scheme provides a free complaint resolution service.

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex legal matters, we recommend consulting a qualified solicitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Templates

Repair Request Letter to Landlord Disrepair Letter Before Action Housing Ombudsman Complaint Letter Rent Reduction Request Letter