Repairs if you rent from a private landlord or letting agent
Apply to the tribunal if your landlord is not doing repairs
If your landlord refuses to do repairs that they’re responsible for, apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber).
The tribunal can order your landlord to do the repairs. It’s free to apply, and you do not need a solicitor.
You can also apply for compensation.
Write to your landlord before applying to the tribunal
You must report the repair in writing and give your landlord or letting agent a reasonable time to fix it.
If repairs have still not been done, email or write to your landlord again to complain. They could do the repairs more quickly if you warn them you’ll apply to the tribunal.
Letter templates to complain about repair problems
Copy and paste the sample text and personalise it with your details. Delete any parts that do not apply to you.
Attach any evidence you have, such as copies of previous letters you've sent or photos of the repair problems.
Letter template: complain about repairs to your landlord or letting agent
Subject: Repairs not done at <your address>
To <your landlord's name>
I contacted you on <date> to ask for repair work at <your address>.
The repairs needed are <describe the repairs>. These repairs have still not been done.
I have checked my rights on the Shelter Scotland website. You have a duty to make sure my home meets the repairing standard in section 13 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Currently my home does not meet this standard, and you must do the repairs within a reasonable time.
I believe it's reasonable for the repair work to be done within <number of days> because of the effect it's having on me.
<Give details, for example: it's causing damage to my home / affecting my health / making my home unsafe>
Please contact me within 2 working days to confirm when the repairs will be done.
If you do not arrange for the repairs to be done, I will apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) for an enforcement order.
Thank you,
<your name>
<your phone number>
<date>
You can also send the letter as an email attachment or through the post:
Word template: make a complaint about repairs to your private landlord (docx, 16 kb)
OpenDocument template: make a complaint about repairs to your private landlord (odt 9KB)
Letter template: complain about repair work done badly
Subject: Repairs not done properly at <your address>
To <your landlord's name>
I am writing to report a problem with the repair work that was carried out on <date repairs were done> at <your address>.
When the repairs were carried out <example: the work was not finished / the problem was not fixed / the work caused damage to my belongings>.
I have checked my rights on Shelter Scotland’s website, and you are responsible for making sure repairs are done properly.
I ask that you <example: arrange for the repairs to be completed / redo the work / compensate me for the damage to my belongings>.
Please contact me within 5 working days to confirm how the problem will be resolved.
Thank you,
<your name>
<your phone number>
<date>
You can also send the letter as an email attachment or through the post:
Word template: report repairs done badly (docx ,16 kb)
OpenDocument template: report repairs done badly (odt, 8 kb)
How to apply to the tribunal
You'll need to fill in an application form and sent it with evidence of the problem.
You can only apply during your tenancy. If you move out, your application will be cancelled.
You can make a separate application for compensation any time during your tenancy or after it has ended.
Applying to make your landlord do repairs
Download Form A on the tribunal website.
Fill in the form and send it with:
a copy of your tenancy agreement
copies of any letters or emails you sent your landlord about the repairs
any other evidence you think is relevant, such as photos of the repair problem or doctor's letters if your health is affected
If you rent from a letting agency
It’s still your landlord’s responsibility to do repairs. Write the landlord's details in section 6 and the letting agency's details in section 7.
If you do not know the landlord’s name and address, check the Scottish landlord register or ask your letting agent for their details. They must give you this within 21 days.
Letting agents must tell the landlord about repairs and keep you informed. You can make a separate application against the letting agency if they have not followed their duties.
Applying for compensation
The tribunal can order your landlord to pay you compensation if repairs have:
cost you money
affected your health
damaged your belongings
caused inconvenience – for example, if repair problems meant you could not use part of your home
You’ll need to make a separate application to ask for compensation.
Download Form F and the Notes on Completing Form F on the tribunal website.
In section 5a, write:
'rule 111' if you have a private residential tenancy
'rule 70' if you have an assured tenancy or a short assured tenancy
In section 5c, say how much money you want your landlord to pay you and why.
Include proof of the repair issues and how they affected you, such as:
receipts for items you had to replace
doctor’s letters for any health issues
any emails or letters you sent your landlord about the repairs
photos of the repair problems and any belongings that were damaged
any other proof of how the problem impacted your life – for example, if you had to miss work or move somewhere more expensive
Where to send your application
You can send your form and evidence by email or post.
Email: HPCAdmin@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk
Post: Glasgow Tribunals Centre, 20 York Street, Glasgow, G2 8GT
After you apply
The tribunal will write to you and your landlord to tell you what happens next.
They’ll set a date to inspect your home. You’ll also have to attend a case discussion or hearing. This usually happens over the phone.
Check our guidance on what happens after you apply
If the tribunal decides repairs are needed
They can send your landlord a repairing standard enforcement order. This tells them what they must do to fix the repairs and how long they have to do it.
It’s a criminal offence for your landlord to ignore the order. They must prove that the repairs have been completed before the order can be lifted.
If your landlord does not do the repairs by the deadline, the tribunal can order them to reduce your rent until the problem is fixed. This is called a rent relief order.
Alternatives to going to the tribunal
The tribunal process can take several months. If the repairs are minor or urgent, you may consider:
arranging repairs yourself and ask your landlord to pay you back the money
withholding rent until repairs are done
These options are risky. Your landlord could try to evict you if the repairs are done poorly or cause any damage, or if you withhold money from your rent.
Always contact your landlord first and give them enough time to fix the problem. Check our advice on:
If the repair is affecting your health
Contact the council’s environmental health department. They could order your landlord to fix any repair problems that are affecting your health. They could also help you apply to the tribunal.
Use our template letter to contact environmental health. Copy and paste the sample text and personalise it with your details.
Include photographs of the repair problem and copies of any emails or letters you have sent your landlord.
Letter template: report repair problems to environmental health
Subject: My home is unsafe
To the environmental health team,
My rented home at <your address> has the following repair problems: <the repair problems in your home>.
I reported the repairs to my landlord on <date>. I gave them reasonable time to do the repairs, but they have still not been done.
This is a serious situation because <give details of how it's affecting your or your family's health or safety>.
I have attached evidence of the repair problem, copies of communication with my landlord and <other evidence, for example: a letter from my GP / a dampness survey>.
My landlord is <your landlord’s name and address>.
I'm asking for your assistance to get my landlord to do repairs in my home. Please contact me to discuss any next steps.
Thank you
<your name>
<your phone number>
<date>
You can also send the letter as an email attachment or through the post:
Word template: contact environmental health (docx, 15 kb)
OpenDocument template letter: contact environmental health (odt, 8 kb)
If you’re worried about eviction
You cannot be evicted for asking for repairs to be done or for applying to the tribunal.
You have the right to live in your home free from repair problems.
If you're worried that you'll be evicted, contact a Shelter Scotland adviser.
Last updated: 24 July 2024
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.