Independent · not part of City of York Council
Environmental Health in York: reporting a housing problem
Who City of York 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: york.gov.uk
Who it helps
Who Environmental Health in York helps
City of York Council deals with poor conditions in rented homes through its Healthy and Sustainable Homes Team. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Tell your landlord first, then contact the council. How.
City of York 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 york.gov.uk, checked 12 October 2026.
Private tenants
Contacting the Healthy and Sustainable Homes Team
- 01Tell your landlord first. City of York Council says: write to your landlord about the problems first and give them a reasonable time to respond.
- 02If it isn’t fixed, contact the council. The Healthy and Sustainable Homes Team’s details are below.
Send pictures of the issues with your report where you can.
From york.gov.uk/form/ReportConcernsPrivateTenant and york.gov.uk/private-landlords-tenants/checklist-renting, checked 12 October 2026.
Council tenants
If you rent from City of York Council
City of York 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: 01904 551550. York repair contacts and timescales
- Step 2
Complain
If it isn’t fixed, complain to the council. Acknowledged within 5 working days, with a reply aimed for within 10 working days of that. How to complain
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Free, once City of York Council’s complaints process is finished.
of the Ombudsman’s findings about City of York Council in 2024/25 were maladministration.
of City of York Council tenants were satisfied with repairs in 2024/25.
Sources: Citizens Advice; york.gov.uk; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25.
Reported it to City of York Council and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimHousing association tenants
If you rent from a housing association in York
City of York 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 York
29 housing associations own 5,929 social homes in York. The largest:
- Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust repairs1,753 homes
- Yorkshire Housing repairs1,485 homes
- Home Group repairs616 homes
- 54 North Homes560 homes
- Thirteen repairs305 homes
- Railway Housing Association repairs195 homes
- Karbon Homes repairs182 homes
- Anchor repairs166 homes
From the Regulator of Social Housing’s statistical data return: social homes each housing association owned in York on 31 March 2025.
Housing associations in the North of England: repair contacts
Reported it and still not fixed? You could claim compensation.
Check if you can claimYour options
Your options in York
In York, 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 York: questions
What is the York environmental health number for housing problems?
The Healthy and Sustainable Homes Team at City of York Council is on 01904 552300, or email housing.standards@york.gov.uk. You can also use report concerns about your rented home online at york.gov.uk. Its pages are for private tenants and don’t cover housing association homes.
Can I report City of York Council to environmental health?
No. City of York Council’s Environmental Health service can’t take formal action against the council as your landlord. Report the repair on 01904 551550, then complain to the council and, after that, the Housing Ombudsman.
Check if you can claimCan housing association tenants in York contact environmental health?
City of York 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 York?
Yes. City of York Council says: write to your landlord about the problems first and give them a reasonable time to respond.
Which housing associations own homes in York?
29 housing associations own 5,929 social homes in York, according to the Regulator of Social Housing (March 2025). The largest are Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (1,753), Yorkshire Housing (1,485), Home Group (616), 54 North Homes (560) and Thirteen (305).
Is Report Repair part of City of York Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of City of York Council. The contact details here are from City of York Council’s own website.
Not in York?
Environmental Health in the North of England
- Environmental Health in BarnsleyBarnsley Council
- Environmental Health in Blackburn with DarwenBlackburn with Darwen Borough Council
- Environmental Health in BlackpoolBlackpool Council
- Environmental Health in BoltonBolton Council
- Environmental Health in County DurhamDurham County Council
- Environmental Health in LiverpoolLiverpool City Council
- Environmental Health in ManchesterManchester City Council
- Environmental Health in WakefieldWakefield Council
Council or housing association repair still not fixed?
About 2 minutes. No documents. Free to check.