Letter before court action (final warning to landlord)
When to use this
- You have already sent a repair report, a formal complaint, and a stage 2 escalation.
- Your landlord has still not carried out the repairs or offered proper compensation.
- You are considering issuing court proceedings or instructing a solicitor to do so.
- You want to give your landlord one final chance to settle before you proceed.
What to attach
- Copies of all earlier correspondence
- A schedule of outstanding repairs
- Photographic evidence
- Any medical letters
- The landlord's latest response (or evidence of no response)
The template (copy or print)
[Your full name] [Your address, including postcode] [Today's date] [Landlord's full name and address] Dear [Landlord name], Re: Housing disrepair at [Your address], Letter Before Action I am writing as a final step before taking legal action. I have [reported the problems / made formal complaints] on multiple occasions. The outstanding repairs are set out below. OUTSTANDING REPAIRS [List each problem: for example: 1. Damp and mould in [rooms], reported on [date(s)], not repaired. 2. Broken heating, reported on [date(s)], not properly repaired. 3. [Other problem], reported on [date(s)], not repaired.] I believe these disrepairs are a breach of: - Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 - The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 [Add if social tenant: - Section 10A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Awaab's Law)] The disrepair has caused me [describe the impact: ill health / inability to use rooms / damage to belongings / distress and inconvenience]. I am seeking [repairs AND/OR compensation]. I am asking you to confirm in writing within 14 days from the date of this letter: 1. That you will carry out all outstanding repairs by [a specific date]. 2. Whether you are willing to discuss compensation for the harm caused. If I do not receive a satisfactory response within 14 days, I will take further action without further notice. This may include instructing a solicitor to issue court proceedings and following the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Disrepair Cases. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Your phone number] [Your email address]
After you send it
Keep a copy. Mark 14 days on the calendar. If the landlord does not respond or respond properly, contact us on 0800 030 4669 or start a claim at supportfortenants.co.uk. This letter is strong evidence of your attempts to resolve the situation before going to court.
See also: the related guide.
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