Council Tenant's Rights Guide
Understand your rights. Get the help you deserve.
If you rent your home from a council or housing association, you have important legal rights — and your landlord has legal duties. This guide gives you a clear overview of what you're entitled to and where to get more detailed help.
You Have the Right To:
A safe and healthy home
Your landlord must make sure your home is in good repair and free from hazards. This includes fixing things like leaks, broken heating, unsafe electrics, and structural damage.
See our Types of Disrepair Explained for full detailsRepairs within a reasonable time
When you report a problem, your landlord must respond and fix it in a reasonable timeframe. Urgent repairs (like no heating or dangerous electrics) should be handled much faster.
Use our Step-by-Step Claims Checklist to learn how to track repairsBe treated fairly
You have the right to be taken seriously. If your landlord delays, ignores you, or treats you unfairly, you have the right to complain — and escalate it if needed.
Visit our Housing Ombudsman Guide to learn how to make a free formal complaintStay in your home
It is illegal for your landlord to evict you just because you've made a complaint or taken legal action about disrepair. If you follow your tenancy agreement (including rent payments), you are protected.
Get help and take legal action
If your landlord won't fix serious issues — even after you've reported them — you may be entitled to compensation and can take legal action to force repairs.
Learn how we support tenants in our No Win No Fee Explained resourceSummary: What You Can Do
Report issues to your landlord in writing
Keep records and photos
Ask for help if you're ignored or repairs are delayed
Complain formally or seek legal advice
Use trusted services – don't rely on cold-callers or pressure tactics
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Housing stress is real. Poor living conditions can affect your health, sleep, and mental wellbeing.
Read our Dealing With Stress From Poor Housing guide for tips and support linksNeed Help Now?
We're here to support you. Council Repair Claims can:
Explain your rights in plain English
Help you check if you have a valid case
Connect you with a regulated solicitor on a no win, no fee basis