Tell us if your landlord is breaking the law

Everyone deserves a safe, stable and decent place to live. If you rent privately in Lewisham and are concerned about your landlord, the condition of your home or another privately rented property, you can report it to our Rogue Landlords Taskforce. 

We use information from residents, council and government data and targeted inspections to identify landlords and other responsible people who may not be meeting their legal duties. The aim is to improve standards in privately rented homes and protect residents from unsafe housing conditions.

What you can report

Please contact us if you are concerned about:

• unsafe or poor conditions in a privately rented home
• repairs that your landlord has failed to deal with
• a property that you think should be licensed but may not have a licence
• a landlord who may be breaking the law or failing to meet their legal responsibilities
• poor waste management or fire safety concerns connected to a privately rented property

Legally, your landlord must

• have a licence for the property (with some exceptions)
• give you a tenancy agreement that shows the name, address and contact details of the landlord
• put your deposit into a deposit protection scheme
• get a gas safety certificate every year proving all gas appliances are safe to use, and share it with you
• keep your home in good repair

Your landlord must not

• enter your property without giving at least 24 hours written notice, apart from communal areas in shared accommodation
• threaten or harass you
• evict you without following the correct procedure and having a valid reason
• repeatedly fail to do repairs

Shared houses

If you live in a shared house, your landlord must:

• have an HMO licence if the property meets the criteria for licensable HMOs
• meet minimum space standards and provide enough facilities
• provide adequate provisions for fire safety

Find out more about standards for shared houses.

How to contact us

You can report your concerns:

• by email: rogue.landlords@lewisham.gov.uk
• by phone: 020 8314 6420 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)

When calling, please hold to speak to our private rented sector enforcement team.

What happens after you contact us

We will review your report

Our team will first assess, or ‘triage’, the information you provide. This helps us decide what action may be appropriate and whether the issue should be investigated by our enforcement officers.

We may investigate

If an investigation is appropriate, we may look into whether the landlord or another responsible person is complying with property licensing conditions and wider housing law. We may also check whether the property needs a licence and whether one is currently in place.

We may inspect the property

An investigation may include an inspection of your home. In some circumstances, we may ask you to help arrange access for an officer, where the law does not require us to give formal notice to the landlord first.

The taskforce will also carry out proactive inspections of suspected unlicensed properties and licensed properties where there may be concerns about compliance. Some inspections may be unannounced.

We will decide whether enforcement action is needed

Where we find evidence that a landlord or another responsible person has not complied with the law, we will consider appropriate enforcement action.

This could include:

• a statutory notice requiring action
• a civil financial penalty
• prosecution

Every case will be considered individually. Any action will be proportionate, supported by evidence and taken in line with the relevant law, statutory guidance and the Council’s enforcement policies.

How the taskforce works

The taskforce takes a proactive, intelligence-led approach. It uses council information, local reports and inspection findings to identify areas and properties where non-compliance may be more likely.

Supporting responsible landlords and protecting tenants

Most landlords want to provide safe, decent homes and meet their responsibilities. We will continue to support responsible landlords, while taking firm action against those who break the rules or put tenants at risk.

Privacy

To provide the best support and advice, the rogue landlords team may refer you to other teams and services in the Council, with your permission. We will not share your identity with your landlord.