Private Sector Housing Complaints

How to make a complaint

If you have a problem with your housing you must inform your landlord as soon as you can.  If your landlord does not carry out repairs in a reasonable time then you may wish to make a complaint to the Housing Regeneration Team. 

To make a complaint please email housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk, or telephone 01843 577437, and ask for a tenant referral form.  Please provide as much information as you can, which must include the details listed below. 

• your name, address and phone number
• what type of tenancy do you have (eg 6-month shorthold)
• how much rent to you pay?
• do you receive Housing Benefit?
• how long have you lived there?
• landlords name, and contact details
• name and contact details of managing agent if you have one
• a description of the problems you have
• when did you tell your landlord/agent about the problem?
• What was their response?

When we have received your completed form, we will arrange an appointment to visit you and assess your complaint.

For legal reasons, we will need to inform your landlord of our intention to visit.  However, should we consider your complaint to be extremely urgent we will contact you directly.

Complaints about Neighbouring Properties

The condition of a neighbouring house may sometimes be cause for complaint to the Council. The Private Sector divisions have powers to resolve problems originating from such factors as leaking gutters, damp penetration etc., by taking legal action against the owner of the house concerned. If the owner fails to co-operate, the Council has the power to carry out the works at his expense, and/or to prosecute him.

To make a complaint regarding a neighbouring house, please email: housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk or on 01843 577435 / 577436

If your complaint concerns a house in multiple occupation, email: housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk or on 01843 577435 or 577436

Please note:

• If your complaint concerns a dangerous structure, you should contact the Council's Building Control Section email: building.control@thanet.gov.uk or on 01843 577502.

If you are complaining about a pollution matter, for example rats or mice, dog faeces, decomposing food etc, in a neighbour's property, you may contact the Council's pollution officers email: environmental.health@thanet.gov.uk or on 01843 577435 or 577437.

If your complaint is about housing that you rent from the Council please phone the housing repairs team on 01843 577265 or email: housing.repairs@thanet.gov.uk.

For advice on tenancy agreement or eviction matters you may wish to speak to the council's Housing Options Team email: housing@thanet.gov.uk or telephone 01843 577277. 

You may also wish to consult a local solicitor or contact the Citizens Advice Bureau email: thanetdcab@aol.com, view their website at http://www.thanetcitizensadvice.co.uk/ or telephone 01843 225973. 

If a landlord or their agent is violent, the matter should be reported to the Police.

Housing Regeneration Team

E-mail:

housing.conditions
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577437