Report a landlord
Guidance for private tenants on how to report landlord or repair issues
Private housing complaints and advice
If you rent a private home in Thanet or are experiencing issues with a landlord or a nearby property, we can help.
Use this page to find out how to:
- Report poor housing conditions or urgent repair issues.
- Report a landlord breaking renting laws or tenancy rules.
- Complain about a neighbouring property affecting your home.
- Find contact details for related services like Building Control, Environmental Health, and Citizens Advice.
Your landlord should provide you with a safe place to live. No home can be completely hazard free, but you should not be expected to live in an environment that puts your health and safety at unnecessary risk.
We can help, but first you should contact your landlord to tell them what is wrong and give them a chance to fix it. We strongly advise that you report any disrepair or safety issues to your landlord as soon as possible and put your complaint in writing. If you do, and your landlord does not provide a reasonable response within 14 days, you may receive some protection from retaliatory eviction.
To make a complaint please email housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk, or telephone 01843 577437, and ask for a Service Request form.
You will need to provide as much information as you can including;
- Your name, address and phone number
- What type of tenancy you have (eg 6-month shorthold)
- How much rent you pay
- Do you receive Housing Benefit?
- How long have you lived there?
- Landlord’s name, and contact details
- Name and contact details of the 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.
PermalinkIs your landlord breaking the law? Report it to us
Landlords must follow the law when they rent a home to you. If they don’t, our Private Sector Housing Team is here to protect you and your rights. We can investigate if your landlord is breaking the rules, treating you unfairly, or trying to force you out of your home.
To make a complaint please email housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk, or telephone 01843 577437.
You will need to provide as much information as you can including;
- Your name, address and phone number
- What type of tenancy you have
- How much rent you pay
- Do you receive Housing Benefit?
- How long have you lived there?
- Landlord’s name, and contact details
- Name and contact details of the managing agent, if you have one
- A description of the problems you have
- Please also supply any tenancy paperwork that may relate to your complaint
The condition of a neighbouring house may sometimes be cause for complaint to the council. We have powers to deal with certain issues such as leaking gutters and damp penetration, by taking legal action against the owner of the house concerned.
To make a complaint regarding a neighbouring house, please email: housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 577437
If your complaint concerns a house in multiple occupation, email: housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 577437
Please note:
- If your complaint concerns a dangerous structure, you can report this via our Building Control Service. Alternatively, you can email: building.control@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 577522.
- If you are complaining about a pollution matter, for example rats or mice, dog faeces, decomposing food etc, in a neighbour’s property, you can contact our Environmental Protection Service. Alternatively, you can email: environmental.health@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 577082.
- If your complaint is about housing that you rent from the council please contact our Tenant and Leaseholder Service. Alternatively, you can email them directly on myhome@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 577575.
- 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 . Alternatively you can email housing@thanet.gov.uk or telephone 01843 577277.
- You may also wish to consult a local solicitor or contact the Citizens Advice Thanet email: enquiries@thanetcitizensadvice.co.uk, view their website or call them on 01843 228643.
- If a landlord or their agent is violent, the matter should be reported to the Police.