Your rights as a social housing tenant in England
These free guides explain your legal rights in plain English. You do not need a solicitor to understand what your landlord must do and by when.
Coming in 2026
Awaab's Law Phase 2 extends strict repair deadlines to all significant hazards in social housing, not just damp and mould. If your home has a serious hazard your landlord has not fixed, your new rights start soon. Learn what this means for you →
Rights guides
Select the guide that matches your situation. Each one explains what the law says, what your landlord must do, and what to do next if they do not act.
Awaab's Law
Since October 2025, social landlords must investigate damp and mould within 10 working days. Emergency hazards must be fixed within 24 hours. Phase 2 will extend the law to all significant hazards in 2026 (date not yet confirmed).
Read guideHow to make a formal complaint
A step-by-step guide to the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code 2024. Stage 1 must be answered in 10 working days. Stage 2 in 20 working days. Learn what to do if your landlord does not respond.
Read guideIs this a formal complaint?
If your landlord refuses to log your complaint, this guide explains the three tests under the Housing Ombudsman Code 2024 and how to force acceptance.
Read guideDamp and mould
Damp and mould can be dangerous, especially for children and people with health conditions. Your landlord has a legal duty to fix it. Find out what deadlines apply and how to report it correctly.
Read guideRepairs
Your landlord is legally responsible for the structure of your home and its essential services. Learn what counts as an urgent repair, what the response times are, and what you can do if work is not done.
Read guideHeating and hot water
No heating or hot water is a serious hazard under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Your landlord must act quickly. Find out what counts as an emergency and what your rights are.
Read guideAntisocial behaviour
If antisocial behaviour is making your home unbearable, your landlord has a duty to act. Find out how to report it, what evidence to keep, and what happens if they do not respond.
Read guideThe Housing Ombudsman
The Housing Ombudsman is a free, independent service that can order your landlord to fix problems and pay you compensation. Find out when you can refer your complaint and how the process works.
Read guideReading is a start. TenantSafe helps you act.
These guides explain your rights. TenantSafe goes further: it listens to your specific situation, works out which laws apply, and produces a formal complaint letter with the correct statutory references, ready to send.
It is free to use. It works on any smartphone. No app download is needed.
Start for free, no download neededEngland only. These guides cover the law in England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have different rules. If you live outside England, contact Shelter or your local Citizens Advice for advice that applies to you.