Independent · not part of Reading Borough Council
Environmental Health in Reading: reporting a housing problem
Who Reading Borough 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: reading.gov.uk
Who it helps
Who Environmental Health in Reading helps
Reading Borough 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.
Reading Borough 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 reading.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.
Private tenants
Contacting the Private sector housing team
- 01Tell your landlord first. Reading Borough Council says: always report disrepair to your landlord or managing agent; if they do not act, use the online form.
- 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Private sector housing team’s details are below.
The council aims to respond to a report within five working days.
From reading.gov.uk/housing/private-renting/tenants/repairs-an…, checked 12 October 2026.
Council tenants
If you rent from Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough 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: 0800 318 296, or online. Reading 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 of the acknowledgement. How to complain
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Free, once Reading Borough Council’s complaints process is finished.
of the Ombudsman’s findings about Reading Borough Council in 2024/25 were maladministration.
of Reading Borough Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.
Sources: Citizens Advice; reading.gov.uk; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.
Reported it to Reading Borough Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimHousing association tenants
If you rent from a housing association in Reading
Reading Borough 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 Reading
33 housing associations own 5,833 social homes in Reading. The largest:
- Peabody repairs1,013 homes
- Southern Housing repairs789 homes
- Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing repairs704 homes
- L&Q repairs518 homes
- Stonewater repairs510 homes
- Home Group repairs398 homes
- Sovereign Network Group repairs346 homes
- A2Dominion repairs335 homes
From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in Reading 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 Reading
In Reading, 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 Reading: questions
How do I report a housing problem to environmental health in Reading?
Use report issues with a private rented property online at myaccount.reading.gov.uk. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Can I report Reading Borough Council to environmental health?
No. Reading Borough Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 0800 318 296, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.
Check if you can claimCan housing association tenants in Reading contact environmental health?
Reading Borough 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 Reading?
Yes. Reading Borough Council says: always report disrepair to your landlord or managing agent; if they do not act, use the online form.
Which housing associations own homes in Reading?
33 housing associations own 5,833 social homes in Reading, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Peabody (1,013), Southern Housing (789), Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (704), L&Q (518) and Stonewater (510).
Is Report Repair part of Reading Borough Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of Reading Borough Council. The contact details here are from Reading Borough Council’s own website.
Not in Reading?
Environmental Health in the South of England
- Environmental Health in BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire Council
- Environmental Health in CornwallCornwall Council
- Environmental Health in Reigate and BansteadReigate & Banstead Borough Council
- Environmental Health in RochfordRochford District Council
- Environmental Health in RotherRother District Council
- Environmental Health in RunnymedeRunnymede Borough 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.