What a rogue landlord is and how to report one.
A rogue landlord is a landlord who doesn't meet their legal obligations to provide safe accommodation and carries out unlawful activities. This could include:
- harassing or illegally evicting a tenant
- renting a property that doesn't meet basic legal standards, such as a property in a poor state of repair or with a low EPC rating
- renting a property without a licence, when a licence is needed
- renting unsuitable accommodation, such as shed, garage or garden shelter, which may not have planning permission or building consent (known as a 'bed in a shed')
- charging unlawful fees (this also applies to letting agents)
We can take action against rogue landlords or letting agents so that:
- tenants aren't exploited
- tenants' homes are well managed and safe to live in
- they meet the necessary legal requirements
Tell us about a rogue landlord or letting agent
You can:
- tell us if you're being harassed or illegally evicted
- find out how to get your money back if your landlord or letting agent has charged unlawful fees
- tell us about someone renting a 'bed in a shed'
- use our problems with your property form to see if we can help with properties in a poor state of repair, have a low EPC rating or are overcrowded
- use our unlicensed property form to tell us about a property that you think should have a licence, but doesn't
Email private.housing@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 352 5010 to tell us:
- your letting agent is not a member of a redress scheme
- your letting agent is not a member of a client money protection scheme: find out about client money protection schemes on GOV.UK
If your landlord has committed an offence, such as illegally evicting you or not having a property licence, you may be able to claim back up to 12 months' rent.