Help with housing letters, repairs and complaints

If you rent privately: what changed on 1 May 2026

The key dates box brings together the main tenancy changes for private renting in England. Keep any notice with the date you received it.

A landlord cannot unreasonably refuse a pet, or discriminate because you receive benefits or have children.

If a letter from your landlord does not seem to fit these rules, it is worth checking with Shelter or Citizens Advice before you reply.

Letters we can help you write

A clear, dated letter is often the first real step. We write it with you, in your words, and you send it.

• Repairs: what is wrong, when it started, when you first reported it, and what you are asking for.
• Challenging a rent increase: setting out your reasons, and organising your papers if you decide to apply to the tribunal.
• Homelessness applications: putting your situation to the council clearly, with the documents they are likely to ask for.
• Complaints: to a landlord, letting agent, council or housing association.

If you might lose your home

Please do not wait. Contact your council early, ideally as soon as you receive a notice or fall behind.

We can help you prepare what you want to say and gather your papers. If you have received court papers about possession, please call Shelter or Civil Legal Advice straight away.

Complaints about a council or housing association

If your landlord is a council or housing association, complaints go through their own two-stage complaints process, which follows the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code.

We can help you write each stage and keep a simple record of what was said and when.