Private housing: Improvements and repairs
Resolving disputes with your landlord
If your landlord is being unreasonable, or ignoring your requests for repair work to be done, you need to keep a record of this.
If you write to your landlord, make sure you keep a copy of the letters you send. If you speak to him or her on the telephone, or in person, then keep a record of the time and date of the conversation and what was said. Do not withhold rent.
What the Council can do
If your landlord still does not do anything then an option available to you is to complain to the Council on 0191 427 7000 and this complaint will be investigated by the appropriate service. We have powers to inspect the property and tell your landlord what works are required .
If your landlord does not comply, we have the power to carry out the work ourselves and send a bill to your landlord, so long as the property fails to meet the current fitness standard.
Taking your landlord to court
Yes. Different types of court action are available and the type of action which is appropriate may depend on the particular type of disrepair you are experiencing. We strongly recommend that you take legal advice before taking court action.
As well as ordering repairs to be carried out, a court might be prepared to award you compensation. If your landlord is a registered social landlord or housing association, then contact the Residential Services team through the Customer Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000.
If you are a South Tyneside Homes tenant and want to report a repair, see South Tyneside Homes: Report a repair.
Threat of eviction
A landlord cannot throw you out simply because you force him to do repairs but if you have an assured short hold tenancy (the common type of tenancy for private sector tenants) then your landlord will be able to evict you when your agreement expires.
If you are not sure what sort of tenancy you have or if you think there may be a problem of this nature then you should seek advice first. Speak to a member of our team on 0191 424 7907 or alternatively, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.