The right to a habitable home

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, all rented homes must be safe, healthy and free from serious hazards — at the start of the tenancy and throughout it. This applies to all tenancies in England (since March 2019) and covers damp & mould, structural problems, broken boilers, drainage issues, vermin infestation and more.

The right to repairs

You have the right to expect your landlord to carry out repairs within a reasonable time. Your landlord is responsible for:

• The structure and exterior of the property — walls, roofs, windows, doors
• Heating and hot water systems
• Sanitation — toilets, basins, baths, drains
• Installations for gas, electricity and water supply

The right to report disrepair — and have it acted on

When you report disrepair, your landlord is legally required to respond within a reasonable time, carry out necessary inspections, and complete repairs promptly. Reporting in writing and keeping copies protects this right — it's the evidence that starts the clock on your claim.

Stronger rights on damp & mould: Awaab's Law

Since October 2025, social landlords — councils and housing associations — must investigate and fix damp and mould hazards within strict, fixed timescales, with emergency hazards handled fastest. If your landlord has let damp or mould sit unaddressed, they aren't just being slow — they may be breaking these rules.

Protection from eviction for claiming

Your landlord cannot evict you for making a housing disrepair claim. As a council or housing association tenant, you also have secure and assured tenancy protections that make retaliatory eviction unlawful. If your landlord threatens you over a claim, tell us immediately.