Independent · not part of Bristol City Council
Environmental Health in Bristol: reporting a housing problem
Who Bristol City Council’s housing standards service helps, how to contact it, and what to do instead if you rent from the council or a housing association.
By Ben Miller, housing disrepair specialistChecked 12 October 2026 · How we checkSource: bristol.gov.uk
Who is your landlord?
Bristol City CouncilEnvironmental Health can’t act against the council. Check if you can claim A housing associationReported it and still not fixed? Check if you can claim A private landlordContact the Private Housing ServiceFree to check · About 2 minutes
Who it helps
Who Environmental Health in Bristol helps
Bristol City Council deals with poor conditions in rented homes through its Private Housing Service. It helps private tenants, and Bristol City Council says housing association tenants can use it too.
Tell your landlord first, then contact the council. How.
Housing association tenants can also use the council's online form to report a problem in their property. What to do.
The council can’t take action against itself. What to do instead.
From bristol.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.
Private tenants
Contacting the Private Housing Service
- 01Tell your landlord first. Bristol City Council says: contact your landlord or lettings agent first, and put it in writing to keep a record.
- 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Private Housing Service’s details are below.
From bristol.gov.uk/residents/housing/private-tenants/problems…, checked 12 October 2026.
Council tenants
If you rent from Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord (why). Use these steps instead.
- Step 1
Report the repair
Repairs: 0117 922 2200, or online. Bristol repair contacts and timescales
- Step 2
Complain
If it isn’t fixed, complain to the council. Acknowledged in writing within 5 working days, and your complaint handler contacts you within 10 working days of that. How to complain
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Free, once Bristol City Council’s complaints process is finished.
of the Ombudsman’s findings about Bristol City Council in 2024/25 were maladministration.
of Bristol City Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.
Sources: Citizens Advice; bristol.gov.uk; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.
Reported it to Bristol City Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimHousing association tenants
If you rent from a housing association in Bristol
Housing association tenants can also use the council's online form to report a problem in their property. Most still start with their housing association’s repairs and complaints process.
Housing associations in Bristol
49 housing associations own 15,343 social homes in Bristol, City of. The largest:
- Brighter Places repairs2,665 homes
- LiveWest repairs2,511 homes
- Places for People repairs2,167 homes
- Sovereign Network Group repairs1,543 homes
- Curo repairs1,148 homes
- Brunelcare repairs1,124 homes
- The Guinness Partnership repairs819 homes
- Clarion Housing repairs369 homes
From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in Bristol, City of on 31 March 2025.
Housing associations in the South of England: repair contacts
Reported it and still not fixed? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimYour options
Your options in Bristol
In Bristol, Environmental Health is for private and housing association tenants. It can make a landlord do repairs, but it doesn’t get you compensation. Council and housing association tenants can complain and then go to the Housing Ombudsman, or make a disrepair claim. Compare the options.
Free to check, and we don’t charge you. If a solicitor takes your claim on, they work on a no win, no fee basis and must explain their fee in writing before you agree to anything. See fees
Questions
Environmental Health in Bristol: questions
What is the Bristol environmental health number for housing problems?
The Private Housing Service at Bristol City Council: email private.housing@bristol.gov.uk. You can also use report a problem in your property online at digital.bristol.gov.uk. It helps private tenants, and Bristol City Council says housing association tenants can use it too.
Can I report Bristol City Council to environmental health?
No. Bristol City Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 0117 922 2200, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.
Check if you can claimCan housing association tenants in Bristol contact environmental health?
Housing association tenants can also use the council's online form to report a problem in their property.
Do I have to tell my landlord before contacting environmental health in Bristol?
Yes. Bristol City Council says: contact your landlord or lettings agent first, and put it in writing to keep a record.
Which housing associations own homes in Bristol?
49 housing associations own 15,343 social homes in Bristol, City of, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Brighter Places (2,665), LiveWest (2,511), Places for People (2,167), Sovereign Network Group (1,543), Curo (1,148).
Is Report Repair part of Bristol City Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of Bristol City Council. The contact details here are from Bristol City Council’s own website.
Not in Bristol?
Environmental Health in the South of England
- Environmental Health in BroadlandBroadland District Council
- Environmental Health in BroxbourneBroxbourne Council
- Environmental Health in BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire Council
- Environmental Health in CambridgeCambridge City Council
- Environmental Health in CornwallCornwall Council
- Environmental Health in DorsetDorset Council
- Environmental Health in SomersetSomerset Council
- Environmental Health in WiltshireWiltshire Council
Council or housing association repair still not fixed?
About 2 minutes. No documents. Free to check.