Report a private housing issue

Use this form to report issues related to a privately rented property.

Provide as much detail as possible to help the council’s investigation of the issue.

Priority is always given to cases which pose the greatest risk to tenants. Not all enquiries will require formal investigation, and many issues can be resolved informally.

Renter’s Rights Act

 

From May 1, 2026, the rules about private renting changed. The Renters’ Rights Act introduced major changes to how the private rented sector operates, giving tenants greater security and strengthening the council’s powers to take action where standards are not met.

Please select 'Other private housing issue' on the next page if you are reporting a Renters’ Rights Act breach or offence to us, and you will find the options after 'Excess heat'. Further, you can also tick the options including and above 'Excess heat' if you are experiencing any disrepair issues and if you have allowed at least 14 days for your landlord to respond to your notification of disrepair (in exceptional cases, a shorter timeframe will be permitted where disrepair issues pose a severe and imminent risk to health).

You can use this form to report any breaches of your rights. The act and your rights are outlined on our website at https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/landlords-licensing and https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/landlords-licensing/landlords-rights-responsibilities

 

Disrepair or Unlicensed Property

 

You can also report serious disrepair issues related to your privately rented property that pose a risk to you. This can include continuous flowing leaks, drainage, faulty electrics, no heating in winter months, filthy and verminous premises and asbestos.

You must inform your landlord (or agent) of the issues before contacting the council. Ensure you have satisfied the following steps before completing this form:

  • You have notified your landlord of the disrepair issue in writing
  • You have allowed at least 14 days for your landlord to respond (in exceptional cases, a shorter timeframe will be permitted where disrepair issues pose a severe and imminent risk to health)
  • Your landlord has failed to respond and fix the disrepair issues raised
  • You have contact details for your landlord

 

For unlicensed properties 

 

Please select 'Other private housing issue' on the next page if you are only reporting an unlicensed property where there is no disrepair. Further, if you are reporting an unlicensed property that also has disrepair, please select 'Disrepair (including fault or damage to the property)'.

 

Reporting a privately owned empty property

 

Please only report privately owned empty properties using this form. If you wish to report an empty property that is owned by the Council or a Housing Association, please do this via Report an empty home | Lambeth Council.

To report a privately owned empty property, please select 'Other private housing issue' on the next page, and the option for an empty property will appear. Further, please include the approximate length of time the property has been empty and the type of property it is, for example, a flat or a detached house.

If you think there is an empty property in your area, you can report this to us. It might be empty if:

  • The windows have been broken for a long time
  • The post has not been collected
  • Windows and doors have been boarded up
  • The rooms are always in darkness.

 

If you are at risk of homelessness

 

If you are unable to resolve your housing issues using our https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/finding-home/homelessness-prevention-housing-advice webpages, our Housing Advice Service may be able to help you.

If you are homeless or due to be homeless in the next 56 days, the council may have a legal duty to prevent or relieve your homelessness. 


If you have received a notice to leave your property and require advice and assistance, you may need to make a homeless application. 

Please contact our Housing Advice Service at https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/finding-home/homelessness-prevention-housing-advice/contact-housing-advice-service

 

Additional Information

 

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