Independent · not part of Southwark Council
Environmental Health in Southwark: reporting a housing problem
Who Southwark 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: southwark.gov.uk
Who it helps
Who Environmental Health in Southwark helps
Southwark Council deals with poor conditions in rented homes through its Private sector housing enforcement team. It’s for private tenants. Housing association tenants are sent to their landlord.
Tell your landlord first, then contact the council. How.
Housing association tenants should report the problem to their housing association. What to do.
The council can’t take action against itself. What to do instead.
From southwark.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.
Private tenants
Contacting the Private sector housing enforcement team
- 01Tell your landlord first. Southwark Council says: report repairs or other housing issues to your landlord or agent before contacting the council.
- 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Private sector housing enforcement team’s details are below.
From southwark.gov.uk/housing/private-tenants-and-landlords/pr…, southwark.gov.uk/housing/contact-our-housing-teams and southwark.gov.uk/housing/private-tenants-and-landlords/pr…, checked 12 October 2026.
Council tenants
If you rent from Southwark Council
Southwark 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: 020 7525 2600, or online. Southwark repair contacts and timescales
- Step 2
Complain
If it isn’t fixed, complain to the council. It should reply within 10 working days. How to complain
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Free, once Southwark Council’s complaints process is finished.
of the Ombudsman’s findings about Southwark Council in 2024/25 were maladministration.
of Southwark Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.
Sources: Citizens Advice; southwark.gov.uk; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.
Reported it to Southwark Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimHousing association tenants
If you rent from a housing association in Southwark
Housing association tenants should report the problem to their housing association. Start with your housing association’s repairs and complaints process.
Housing associations in Southwark
56 housing associations own 20,756 social homes in Southwark. The largest:
- Peabody repairs3,656 homes
- L&Q repairs3,206 homes
- Southern Housing repairs2,698 homes
- Hyde repairs1,939 homes
- Hexagon Housing Association repairs1,518 homes
- Notting Hill Genesis repairs1,448 homes
- Wandle repairs1,334 homes
- Clarion Housing repairs1,166 homes
From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in Southwark on 31 March 2025.
Housing associations in London: repair contacts
Reported it and still not fixed? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimYour options
Your options in Southwark
In Southwark, 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 Southwark: questions
What is the Southwark environmental health number for housing problems?
The Private sector housing enforcement team at Southwark Council is on 020 7525 4090, or email resi@southwark.gov.uk. You can also use report disrepair or another housing issue online at southwark.gov.uk. It’s for private tenants. Housing association tenants are sent to their landlord.
Can I report Southwark Council to environmental health?
No. Southwark Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 020 7525 2600, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.
Check if you can claimCan housing association tenants in Southwark contact environmental health?
Housing association tenants should report the problem to their housing association.
Do I have to tell my landlord before contacting environmental health in Southwark?
Yes. Southwark Council says: report repairs or other housing issues to your landlord or agent before contacting the council.
Which housing associations own homes in Southwark?
56 housing associations own 20,756 social homes in Southwark, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Peabody (3,656), L&Q (3,206), Southern Housing (2,698), Hyde (1,939), Hexagon Housing Association (1,518).
Is Report Repair part of Southwark Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of Southwark Council. The contact details here are from Southwark Council’s own website.
Not in Southwark?
Environmental Health in London
- Environmental Health in BrentBrent Council
- Environmental Health in HackneyHackney Council
- Environmental Health in LambethLambeth Council
- Environmental Health in LewishamLewisham Council
- Environmental Health in SuttonSutton Council
- Environmental Health in Tower HamletsTower Hamlets Council
- Environmental Health in Waltham ForestWaltham Forest Council
- Environmental Health in WandsworthWandsworth Council
Council or housing association repair still not fixed?
About 2 minutes. No documents. Free to check.