Independent · not part of New Forest District Council
Environmental Health in New Forest: reporting a housing problem
Who New Forest District 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: newforest.gov.uk
Who it helps
Who Environmental Health in New Forest helps
New Forest District Council deals with poor conditions in rented homes through its Private Sector Housing Team. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Tell your landlord first, then contact the council. How.
New Forest District Council’s pages are written for private tenants and don’t mention housing association homes. What to do.
The council can’t take action against itself. What to do instead.
From newforest.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.
Private tenants
Contacting the Private Sector Housing Team
- 01Tell your landlord first. New Forest District Council says: discuss the problem with your landlord, confirm it in writing, and allow a reasonable time before contacting the team.
- 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Private Sector Housing Team’s details are below.
From newforest.gov.uk/article/999/Private-housing, checked 12 October 2026.
Council tenants
If you rent from New Forest District Council
New Forest District 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: 023 8028 5222, or online. New Forest repair contacts and timescales
- Step 2
Complain
If it isn’t fixed, complain to the council. Acknowledged within 5 working days, with a reply within 10 working days.
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Free, once New Forest District Council’s complaints process is finished.
of New Forest District Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.
Sources: Citizens Advice; newforest.gov.uk; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.
Reported it to New Forest District Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimHousing association tenants
If you rent from a housing association in New Forest
New Forest District 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 New Forest
25 housing associations own 3,959 social homes in New Forest. The largest:
- Sovereign Network Group repairs1,888 homes
- The Swaythling Housing Society521 homes
- Abri repairs373 homes
- Vivid repairs204 homes
- Stonewater repairs192 homes
- Synergy Housing122 homes
- Places for People repairs111 homes
- MuirCroft Housing Association102 homes
From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in New Forest 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 New Forest
In New Forest, 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 New Forest: questions
What is the New Forest environmental health number for housing problems?
The Private Sector Housing Team at New Forest District Council is on 023 8028 5151, or email privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk. You can also use private housing page (phone and email) at newforest.gov.uk. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Can I report New Forest District Council to environmental health?
No. New Forest District Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 023 8028 5222, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.
Check if you can claimCan housing association tenants in New Forest contact environmental health?
New Forest District 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 New Forest?
Yes. New Forest District Council says: discuss the problem with your landlord, confirm it in writing, and allow a reasonable time before contacting the team.
Which housing associations own homes in New Forest?
25 housing associations own 3,959 social homes in New Forest, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Sovereign Network Group (1,888), The Swaythling Housing Society (521), Abri (373), Vivid (204) and Stonewater (192).
Is Report Repair part of New Forest District Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of New Forest District Council. The contact details here are from New Forest District Council’s own website.
Not in New Forest?
Environmental Health in the South of England
- Environmental Health in BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire Council
- Environmental Health in CornwallCornwall Council
- Environmental Health in North DevonNorth Devon Council
- Environmental Health in North HertfordshireNorth Herts Council
- Environmental Health in North NorfolkNorth Norfolk District Council
- Environmental Health in North SomersetNorth Somerset 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.