Housing health and safety

If you rent your home from a private landlord or a housing association, and it is in a poor state of repair or has insufficient kitchens or bathrooms or fire precautions, the council can help you.  It is our job to ensure that houses and flats let by private landlords are safe, sound, warm and well managed.

We do this by:

• inspecting homes for health and safety hazards
• advising landlords about the minimum legal standards
• licence high risk private rented homes
• target areas of poor quality or high risk housing for inspection
• take legal action to improve sub-standard housing

Unsatisfactory homes

You can contact the health and housing team in the environmental protection service if your home is unsatisfactory because:

• It is damp or the roof leaks. Damp problems in homes can be caused by building defects, external faults or internal condensation. Damp can make timber rot, encourage mould growth, and increase the risk of illness
• There is other disrepair. Examples include structural problems, broken gutters and rainwater goods, dangerous floors and defective plaster.
• The drains are blocked.
• Windows are broken or rotten.
• You have no hot water.
• Electric sockets are blackened or blow frequently.
• The rooms are not of an adequate size.
• Gas appliances have not been serviced or maintained at least once per year - gas appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if they are poorly installed, faulty or incorrectly used. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause permanent health damage or, in severe cases, kill; early symptoms include tiredness, headaches, dizziness and chest pains.
• The gas, electricity or water has been cut off because the landlord/landlady has not paid the bill, etc. In some cases, the council may be able to reconnect the supply and charge the cost to the landlord.

Unsatisfactory bed-sits, flats or hostels

If you live in a bed-sit, flat or hostel you can also call if:

• There are no fire doors or they are wedged open. These types of properties usually require fire check doors, a fire alarm system, fire extinguishers and fire signage
• The fire alarm system is not maintained or is not working properly.
• The accommodation is very cramped or overcrowded. There are legal standards that apply with respect to the number of people who can occupy a home, based on the number and size of the available rooms.
• The shared parts of the house are unsafe or filthy. 
• The house is poorly managed.

Solving the problem

You should tell your landlord/landlady, or their appointed agents, first. If they do not carry out the repairs, you can contact the environmental protection service

An officer from the health and housing team will be allocated to your enquiry. A standard letter will be sent to your landlord or agent advising them of the complaint, giving them the opportunity to resolve the matter before the officer takes formal action. If necessary the officer will visit you to risk assess the defect(s); and the action to be taken will then be determined.

Most standards are specified in the Housing Act 2004 or Public Health Legislation. With bed-sits, flats or hostels, the whole house may need to be surveyed.

The officer may contact your landlord/landlady, or their appointed agents, to request that the repairs/improvements are carried out; the time scale will depend on the conditions and works required. Depending on the severity of the hazards at the property, legal notice(s) may be served, stating the works to be undertaken and time allowed. Furthermore, Tower Hamlets levies a £425 charge for each notice served under the Housing Act 2004.

If, following a notice, the works are not done the landlord/landlady, or their appointed agents, may be prosecuted and the council may carry out the works and charge them the costs.

The council is only able to offer the above service to private tenants. Owner-occupiers and long leaseholders should seek legal advice and council tenants should contact their neighbourhood housing office.

Landlords/landladies/agents

We can give you advice on housing standards and your legal responsibilities.

Your rights as a tenant

If you need advice on your tenancy or are experiencing harassment or threatened eviction, please contact the Housing Advisory Service

Fire/smoke alarms

Protect yourself and your home. Get a smoke alarm!

For more information, visit the Fire kills website.

How to contact us

Your first point of contact for the environmental health and protection department is through our call centre, where we have trained and experienced operators ready to listen to your concerns and to give you the information you need.

We are available to take your calls from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on:

Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6831

Email: environmentalhealth@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Or you can write to us at:

Health and housing team
Environmental Protection
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG