Independent · not part of Somerset Council
Environmental Health in Somerset: reporting a housing problem
Who Somerset 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: somerset.gov.uk
Who is your landlord?
Somerset 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 Sector HousingFree to check · About 2 minutes
Who it helps
Who Environmental Health in Somerset helps
Somerset Council deals with poor conditions in rented homes through its Private Sector Housing. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Tell your landlord first, then contact the council. How.
Somerset 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 somerset.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.
Private tenants
Contacting the Private Sector Housing
- 01Tell your landlord first. Somerset Council says: put your complaint in writing to your landlord first and normally allow up to 4 weeks, depending on the problem.
- 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Private Sector Housing’s details are below.
From somerset.gov.uk/housing-support/complain-about-housing-co…, checked 12 October 2026.
Council tenants
If you rent from Somerset Council
Somerset 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 585 360, or online. Somerset repair contacts and timescales
- Step 2
Complain
If it isn’t fixed, complain to the council. Acknowledged within 5 working days, with a full reply within 10 working days of that. How to complain
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Free, once Somerset Council’s complaints process is finished.
of the Ombudsman’s findings about Somerset Council in 2024/25 were maladministration.
of Somerset Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.
Sources: Citizens Advice; homesinsomerset.org; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.
Reported it to Somerset Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimHousing association tenants
If you rent from a housing association in Somerset
Somerset 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 Somerset
63 housing associations own 30,987 social homes in Somerset. The largest:
- Abri repairs9,637 homes
- LiveWest repairs5,264 homes
- Aster Group repairs4,466 homes
- Magna Housing repairs2,565 homes
- Stonewater repairs2,353 homes
- Sanctuary Housing repairs1,048 homes
- SHAL Housing774 homes
- Hastoe repairs480 homes
From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in Somerset 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 Somerset
In Somerset, 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 Somerset: questions
What is the Somerset environmental health number for housing problems?
The Private Sector Housing at Somerset Council is on 0300 123 2224 (Ask for Private Sector Housing). You can also use complain about the condition of privately rented property online at service.somerset.gov.uk. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Can I report Somerset Council to environmental health?
No. Somerset Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 0800 585 360, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.
Check if you can claimCan housing association tenants in Somerset contact environmental health?
Somerset 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 Somerset?
Yes. Somerset Council says: put your complaint in writing to your landlord first and normally allow up to 4 weeks, depending on the problem.
Which housing associations own homes in Somerset?
63 housing associations own 30,987 social homes in Somerset, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Abri (9,637), LiveWest (5,264), Aster Group (4,466), Magna Housing (2,565), Stonewater (2,353).
Is Report Repair part of Somerset Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of Somerset Council. The contact details here are from Somerset Council’s own website.
Not in Somerset?
Environmental Health in the South of England
- Environmental Health in BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire Council
- Environmental Health in CornwallCornwall Council
- Environmental Health in DorsetDorset Council
- Environmental Health in South CambridgeshireSouth Cambridgeshire District Council
- Environmental Health in South NorfolkSouth Norfolk Council
- Environmental Health in South OxfordshireSouth Oxfordshire District Council
- Environmental Health in SouthamptonSouthampton City Council
- Environmental Health in WiltshireWiltshire Council
Council or housing association repair still not fixed?
About 2 minutes. No documents. Free to check.