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What you can claim for

  1. 01Damp and mould
  2. 02Leaks
  3. 03Heating or hot water
  4. 04Electrics
  5. 05Windows or doors
  6. 06Pests
  7. 07Structure or roof
  8. 08Something else

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Report Repair · FCA authorised, FRN 830182

Independent · not part of Harlow Council

Environmental Health in Harlow: reporting a housing problem

Who Harlow 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: harlow.gov.uk

Get the right helpHarlow

Who is your landlord?

Harlow 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 Environmental Health

Free to check · About 2 minutes

Who it helps

Who Environmental Health in Harlow helps

Harlow Council deals with poor conditions in rented homes through its Environmental Health. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.

Private tenantsYes

Tell your landlord first, then contact the council. How.

Housing association tenantsNot covered

Harlow Council’s pages are written for private tenants and don’t mention housing association homes. What to do.

Council tenantsNo

The council can’t take action against itself. What to do instead.

From harlow.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.

Private tenants

Contacting the Environmental Health

  1. 01Tell your landlord first. Harlow Council says: contact your landlord first, put your complaints in writing and make sure they know as soon as possible.
  2. 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Environmental Health’s details are below.
Contact Harlow CouncilPrivate tenants
OnlineReport a private rented property by emailharlow.gov.uk
Emailenv.health@harlow.gov.uk
Keep a note of the date you contact the council, and any reference.

From harlow.gov.uk/housing-and-garages/landlords-and-private-t…, checked 12 October 2026.

Council tenants

If you rent from Harlow Council

Harlow Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord (why). Use these steps instead.

  1. Step 1

    Report the repair

    Repairs: 01279 446666, or online. Harlow repair contacts and timescales

  2. Step 2

    Complain

    If it isn’t fixed, complain to the council. Acknowledged within 3 working days, with a full reply within 10 working days. How to complain

  3. Then

    Housing Ombudsman

    Free, once Harlow Council’s complaints process is finished.

Ombudsman86%

of the Ombudsman’s findings about Harlow Council in 2024/25 were maladministration.

Happy with repairs70%

of Harlow Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.

Sources: Citizens Advice; harlow.gov.uk; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.

Reported it to Harlow Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.

Check if you can claim

Housing association tenants

If you rent from a housing association in Harlow

Harlow Council’s pages are written for private tenants and don’t mention housing association homes. Start with your housing association’s repairs and complaints process.

Housing associations in Harlow

21 housing associations own 2,973 social homes in Harlow. The largest:

From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in Harlow 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 claim

Your options

Your options in Harlow

In Harlow, Environmental Health is for private 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 Harlow: questions

What is the Harlow environmental health number for housing problems?

The Environmental Health at Harlow Council: email env.health@harlow.gov.uk. You can also use report a private rented property by email at harlow.gov.uk. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.

Can I report Harlow Council to environmental health?

No. Harlow Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 01279 446666, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.

Check if you can claim
Can housing association tenants in Harlow contact environmental health?

Harlow Council’s pages are written for private tenants and don’t mention housing association homes.

Do I have to tell my landlord before contacting environmental health in Harlow?

Yes. Harlow Council says: contact your landlord first, put your complaints in writing and make sure they know as soon as possible.

Which housing associations own homes in Harlow?

21 housing associations own 2,973 social homes in Harlow, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Home Group (651), Moat (506), Clarion Housing (437), Sage Homes (335) and L&Q (197).

Is Report Repair part of Harlow Council?

No. Report Repair is independent and not part of Harlow Council. The contact details here are from Harlow Council’s own website.

Not in Harlow?

Environmental Health in the South of England

All councils

Council or housing association repair still not fixed?

About 2 minutes. No documents. Free to check.

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