Council Emergency Repair Not Done?
Your council must make an emergency hazard safe within 24 hours under Awaab's Law. If your emergency repair was reported 3 or more months ago and is still not done, you may have a housing disrepair claim.
Support for Tenants is a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference 1020217. We are not a law firm; panel solicitors handle the legal work.
Check whether you have a council emergency repair claim
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Who is your landlord?
Trying to report an emergency repair to your council?
If your emergency is happening right now, for example a gas leak, no heating in winter, major flooding or dangerous electrics, call your council's emergency housing repairs line (usually 24/7) or ring 999 if there is an immediate risk to life.
If you already reported an emergency 3 or more months ago and your council still has not fully fixed it, that is a different situation. An ignored emergency repair can be the basis of a housing disrepair claim for compensation and a court order requiring the works to be done.
The 24-hour emergency rule
Under Awaab's Law (in force from 27 October 2025), every social landlord in England must make an emergency hazard safe within 24 hours of being notified. This applies to councils, ALMOs, and housing associations.
What counts as an emergency hazard?
- No heating during cold weather
- No hot water
- Gas leak or carbon monoxide risk
- Major water leak or flooding
- Dangerous electrical fault
- Broken door lock (security risk)
- Collapsed or dangerous ceiling or wall
What should your landlord do?
- Make the hazard safe within 24 hours
- Provide alternative accommodation if the home is not safe
- Then investigate and complete repairs under the standard Awaab's Law timetable
If your landlord missed the 24-hour deadline, write to them citing Awaab's Law and keep a copy of everything. If the issue is still unresolved after months, we can help you pursue a claim.
Council tenant or housing association tenant?
We help both. Awaab's Law applies to both council landlords and housing associations. The question on the form asks who your landlord is so we can route your case correctly.
If your repair was reported to a housing association rather than a council, the same rules apply under Awaab's Law.
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FAQs: council emergency repairs
What counts as a council emergency repair?+
Anything that creates an immediate risk to health or safety: total loss of heating in winter, a gas leak, dangerous electrics, a collapsed ceiling, major flooding, or a broken door lock that leaves you unable to secure your home. Under Awaab's Law, social landlords must make emergency hazards safe within 24 hours of being notified.
How do I report an emergency repair to my council?+
Call your council's emergency housing repairs line, usually 24/7 for genuine emergencies. You should also report it in writing (email or text) so you have a dated record. Keep that record: if the council does not respond, the written evidence is crucial for a disrepair claim.
What if my council ignores an emergency repair?+
Under Awaab's Law the 24-hour deadline is a legal obligation, not a target. If your landlord has not made the hazard safe, write to them citing the deadline and keep a copy. If the issue has been ongoing for 3 or more months, you may also have a housing disrepair claim for compensation and a court order requiring repairs.
Does Awaab's Law apply to emergency repairs?+
Yes. Emergency hazards have the shortest deadline: 24 hours to make the hazard safe. This applies to every social landlord in England (councils, ALMOs, and housing associations). It does not yet apply to private landlords in England.
Can I claim if the emergency happened months ago and is still not fixed?+
Yes. If you reported an emergency repair 3 or more months ago and it is still not fully resolved, that is exactly the situation a housing disrepair claim is designed for. You may be owed some of your rent back for the time you lived with the problem, and a court can order your landlord to carry out the repairs.