Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 lets you take your landlord to the Magistrates Court when your home is a health risk, such as damp, mould, pests, or no heating. Here is how it works in plain English.
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In short
Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 lets you take your landlord straight to the Magistrates Court when your home is bad enough to harm your health. Think serious damp and mould, pests, sewage smells, or no heating. It can run faster than a normal disrepair claim, and it works on council and private landlords alike.
It can also run beside a claim for compensation. To find out whether it fits you, call us free on 0800 030 4669.
When this route helps
A Section 82 case is about the state of your home being a health risk right now. It often fits when:
- an active pest problem runs: rats, mice, cockroaches
- the heating or boiler sat broken for ages while the landlord dragged
- bad damp or mould fills a room you sleep or live in
- you rent privately and the landlord keeps dodging you
No need to wait for the council to act first. You can take the case yourself.
How it works, step by step
- Write to your landlord first. Give them at least 21 days to put things right, in writing, in a way you can prove: recorded delivery, email, or the landlord's portal with a screenshot.
- No fix? Ask the Magistrates Court to act.
- The court can order the fix by a set date, fine the landlord, and make them pay you compensation and your costs.
How it is different from a normal disrepair claim
A normal disrepair claim runs through a different court, chasing compensation and repairs. Section 82 often runs faster, forcing the landlord to make the home safe now. Many people do both at once. Section 82 pushes the landlord to move; the disrepair claim chases the larger compensation.
There is a fuller explanation on our Environmental Protection Act Section 82 law page.
What to do next
Take dated photos, keep a diary, and send the 21-day notice. Then call Support for Tenants free on 0800 030 4669, send the short form, or message us on WhatsApp. We will tell you honestly whether Section 82, a disrepair claim, or both suits your case.
For free general advice you can also contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or Citizens Advice.
Sources
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 82 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 23 May 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.
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Still stuck?
Call us free or start a claim online. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.