Report a rogue landlord (2024)

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 licenceis needed
• renting unsuitable accommodation, such as shed, garage or garden shelter, which may not have planning permission or building consent (known as a 'bedin 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 beingharassed or illegally evicted
• find out how to get your money back if your landlord or letting agent has chargedunlawful fees
• tell us about someone renting a 'bed in a shed'
• use our problems with your property formto see if we can help with properties in a poor state of repair or with alow EPC rating
• use our unlicensed property formto 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 aredress scheme
• your letting agent isnot 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.