Housing disrepair help across London
London is where most of the tenants we hear from live. 32 boroughs, the City of London, and the largest concentration of social and private rented homes in the country. The law is the same across every borough.
What you need to know about repairs in London
London has the country's largest stock of council and housing-association homes, and one of its highest concentrations of private rented housing. Together that means almost half of London households rent, far above the national average. Whatever your landlord, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and the Defective Premises Act 1972 apply to every rented home in the city.
Awaab's Law (in force 27 October 2025) gives every social landlord in London firm deadlines: 24 hours to make an emergency hazard safe, 10 working days to investigate a significant hazard, 3 working days to issue a written summary, 5 working days to complete the works. Boroughs and registered providers across the city are bound by the same clock.
Older terraced and converted stock across Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark and Newham has known damp, mould and ventilation issues. Tower-block stock in Croydon, Lewisham and the East End faces fire-safety and lift-failure complaints. Whichever borough you are in, you have the same statutory rights against your landlord.
Awaab's Law deadlines, the same across London
Awaab's Law started on 27 October 2025. It gives every social landlord across London firm deadlines once you have reported a hazard. The clock applies to every council and registered provider in the region.
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Emergency hazard, make safe | 24 hours |
| Significant hazard, investigate | 10 working days |
| Written summary of findings | 3 working days after investigation |
| Complete the works | 5 working days after written summary |
Awaab's Law binds every London borough and every registered provider operating in the city, including L&Q, Peabody, Notting Hill Genesis, Clarion, A2 Dominion and Network Homes. If a deadline has been missed on your home, you may have a claim.
Districts and boroughs across London
The law is the same wherever you are in the region. Local councils and registered providers all owe the same duties to their tenants.
If your landlord is ignoring you in London
Each London borough has its own environmental health team. If your landlord is ignoring you, you can ask the borough to inspect under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). The borough's housing standards or private-sector housing team is the right team to ask for.
How a claim works
- Tell your landlord in writing. First you report the problem to your landlord and ask them to put it right. Keep a copy of what you send and any reply. If they do not sort it out, you may have a claim.
- A no-win-no-fee claim. A panel solicitor takes your case. If you do not win, you pay nothing. If you win, you pay an agreed fee out of your compensation, never out of your own pocket, and we explain it clearly before you start. This is worth thinking about if the problem has gone on a long time, or the landlord keeps ignoring you.
We will tell you honestly whether you have a claim. Call us free on 0800 030 4669. Support for Tenants is a regulated company. We are not a solicitor. Panel solicitors run the cases.
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By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Last updated:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 22 June 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 and not guaranteed; every case is different.