Advice For tenants How to report a repair
UK · For tenants · Repairs
How to report a repair properly
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A repair is easier to get done, and easier to prove later, if you report it clearly and in writing. This page is a practical checklist for private tenants in England, with links to official guidance.
Your call
Go or no?
If it is a small, safe job that is yours to do, give it a go. We’ll point you to a beginner guide and a short shopping list. If you’d rather not, or the work needs a trade, say no and we’ll help you find someone local. If the job is the landlord’s, report it to them first.
Right then. Here’s a sensible starter kit, and links to the relevant guides.
No problem. We’ll show you how to find a local tradesperson.
This is about England
Most of what follows is written for private renting in England. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is not a ruling on your tenancy. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules — use the official guidance for the nation you live in. The country notes at the top of this page point to official starting points elsewhere too.
Do it in writing, even if you also phone
A phone call or a message to a letting agent is a start, especially in an emergency. Follow it with an email or a letter so there is a date, a description, and a record of who you told. Keep a copy. If your agreement or portal asks you to use a particular form, use that as well, and keep a screenshot or a confirmation.
Say what the problem is, where it is, when you first noticed it, and how it affects you — for example, no heating, a leak into a light fitting, or mould in a bedroom. Attach or enclose clear photos, and a short video if it helps (a leak, a noisy boiler, a gap in a door).
Emergencies first
If there is a smell of gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 and follow their instructions. If there is exposed live wiring, flooding, or a real danger, make the situation safe if you can, then report it at once. Official guidance and Shelter both treat some problems as urgent — no heating in cold weather, a serious leak, or a home that is not secure.
What to keep
Keep: the report itself, photos with dates, any replies, appointment texts, and a note of visits (who came, what they did, whether the problem remains). If you spend money you think the landlord should cover, keep the receipts and explain why you spent it — but do not assume you will be repaid unless you have already agreed that, or official advice in your situation says it is reasonable.
Our article on keeping repair records is written for landlords, but the same habit helps tenants too.
Then give access
Landlords and their contractors usually need access, with reasonable notice, to inspect or repair. Official guidance for England is typically at least 24 hours’ notice, at a reasonable time, unless it is an emergency. If a date does not work, offer another promptly, in writing. A repair that cannot be inspected is a repair that often does not get done.
Official guidance
These official and specialist pages are the best place to confirm the rules for your situation. We have used them as the starting point for this article.
- GOV.UK: Private renting — repairs — who is responsible, and how to report problems
- GOV.UK: Your rights and responsibilities — including access for repairs
- Shelter England: Repairs advice — a hub on reporting problems and what to do next
- GOV.UK: How to rent — the official checklist for tenants in England
- National Gas Emergency Service — if you smell gas — or call 0800 111 999
FAQ
The agent only wants WhatsApp messages. Is that enough?
Use the channel they ask for so the job is logged, but also send an email (or keep screenshots and a dated copy) so you can show what you reported and when.
Should I stop paying rent until they fix it?
No. Official guidance is that you should carry on paying rent. If the landlord does not act, use the proper next steps — see our page on what to do if the landlord doesn’t fix it.
The problem is in a shared hallway.
Report it anyway, in writing. In a block, the landlord or the freeholder is usually responsible for common areas. If you are not sure who that is, ask the agent to confirm, in writing.
DIY guide and shopping list
For small, safe jobs that are yours to do, these beginner guides will walk you through it. Do not use them for gas work, the electrical installation, or a leak that is the landlord’s to fix.
Useful starting points: Unblock a sink, Fill cracks in walls, Reseal a bath, and Hang a curtain pole.
Prices below are typical UK ranges, shown so the page can convert them for your country. Always check the live product page before you buy.
| Item | Why you need it | Typical UK price | Shop link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plunger or sink unblocking tool | Clears a simple blockage you have caused. | Typically £5–£12 | |
| Ready-mixed filler and a filling knife | Fills picture-hook holes and small dents. | Typically £5–£10 | |
| Sandpaper or a sanding block | Smooths dried filler so a touch-up will sit flat. | Typically £4–£8 | |
| Kitchen-and-bathroom silicone | For a failing bead you are allowed to renew, if the agreement says you can. | Typically £6–£12 |
Shop this list:
Would rather not DIY? Find a local tradesperson
If the job is yours but you would rather not do it, a local handyman or plumber can often deal with a small fix. If the job is the landlord’s, report it to them first — they may already have someone they use.
We may earn from shop links, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
General guidance only. Check our disclaimer.