Independent · not part of Lewisham Council
Lewisham Council repairs: how to report a repair, phone numbers and timescales
How to report a repair to Lewisham Council: the repairs phone number and emergency line, reporting a repair online, and how long the council has to fix it.
By Ben Miller, housing disrepair specialistChecked 5 October 2026 · How we checkSource: lewisham.gov.uk
Has Lewisham Council been told about the repair?
Yes, reported and still not fixedCheck if you can claim No, reporting it for the first timeGet Lewisham’s repair contactsFree to check · About 2 minutes
Emergency? If you smell gas, leave and call 0800 111 999 now. For a flood, fire or loss of power, Lewisham’s emergency line is here.
How to report
Reporting a repair to Lewisham Council
- 01Phone or report online. You’ll need an account to report online. Emergencies are by phone only.
- 02Say what’s wrong and where. Mention damp, mould or anything dangerous straight away, and how long it’s been a problem.
- 03Get a reference number. Write it down with the date, and keep photos of the problem.
- 04Chase it if it’s late. If Lewisham misses its own target, complain. You may also be able to claim.
- Gas heating and hot waterGas central heating and hot water repairs are done by two contractors. Check which one covers your area on the council’s gas servicing and repairs page and contact them directly.
Emergency repairs
When to call Lewisham straight away
Phone Lewisham straight away if anything puts someone in danger or leaves your home unsafe. Freephone. Open 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Wednesday; emergencies only at other times. The number is in Lewisham’s repair contacts.
- 01No drinking water or loss of mains water
- 02Total loss of electricity
- 03Total loss of heating in winter
- 04Communal heating or door entry phones not working
- 05Lift breakdowns
- 06Major blockages or overflowing drains, stacks or toilets
- 07Dangerous structures and ceilings
- 08Major water coming in or flooding
What counts as an emergency, from lewisham.gov.uk.
Smell gas? Leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 first, then tell Lewisham.
Timescales
How long Lewisham Council has to fix it
Lewisham doesn’t publish repair targets on its website. These are the legal limits under Awaab’s Law.
| Type of repair | Lewisham’s target | Legal limit (Awaab’s Law) |
|---|---|---|
| Damp and mould that’s a significant risk | Not published | Investigate within 10 working days; written summary within 3 working days; safety work within 5 working days |
Legal limits from GOV.UK guidance on Awaab’s Law.
Reported a repair and it still isn’t fixed? You could claim compensation.
Start your claimYour options
If Lewisham Council doesn’t fix it: your options
Claim compensation
Make a disrepair claim
A law firm on our panel takes it up with Lewisham for you. It asks for the repairs to be done and claims compensation, usually worked out as a share of the rent you paid while the problem wasn’t fixed.
Start your claim 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 feesComplain
Complain to the council
This can get the council to look at the repair again. If you’re still unhappy, the Housing Ombudsman can order the council to put things right. In its recent decisions about Lewisham, it ordered between £300 and £1,200 in compensation.
How to complain to LewishamYou can do both: a complaint can carry on while a law firm makes your claim.
Complaining to the council
Every social landlord has to follow the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code.
- Stage 1
Complain to the council
Acknowledged within 5 working days, with a reply within a further 10 working days.
- Stage 2
Ask for a review
Acknowledged within 5 working days, with a reply within 20 working days.
- Then
Housing Ombudsman
Independent. It can order the council to put things right.
Lewisham’s record
How Lewisham Council performs on repairs
of Lewisham tenants were satisfied with the repairs service in 2024/25.
of the Ombudsman’s findings about Lewisham in 2024/25 were maladministration.
Recent Housing Ombudsman decisions about Lewisham Council
- How it handled reports and concerns about boiler issues.Maladministration
£1,150 ordered - How it handled reports of a leak.Maladministration
£300 ordered - How it handled repair reports.Maladministration
£1,200 ordered
Sources: Lewisham tenant satisfaction measures 2024/25; Housing Ombudsman landlord performance data 2024/25; Housing Ombudsman decisions.
Contacts
Lewisham Council’s repair contacts
Reported it and still waiting? You could claim compensation.
Start your claimQuestions
Lewisham Council repairs: questions
What is Lewisham Council’s repairs number?
0800 028 2028. Freephone. Open 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Wednesday; emergencies only at other times.
What is Lewisham Council’s emergency or out of hours repairs number?
0800 028 2028 (Repairs line). Freephone. Open 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Wednesday; emergencies only at other times.
Can I report a repair to Lewisham Council online?
Yes, at residents.lewisham.gov.uk. Housing portal for repairs that aren’t emergencies. Phone for emergencies.
What does Awaab’s Law mean for Lewisham Council tenants?
Since 27 October 2025, the council must investigate emergency hazards and make them safe within 24 hours, and investigate significant damp and mould hazards within 10 working days. From 30 November 2026 the law covers more hazards, including excess cold, electrical hazards, falls and fire.
How do I complain about a repair to Lewisham Council?
Complain to the council first, online. Acknowledged within 5 working days, with a reply within a further 10 working days. If you’re still unhappy after its final reply, you can take it to the Housing Ombudsman for free.
Can I claim compensation from Lewisham Council?
You could, if you reported a repair and it wasn’t fixed in a reasonable time. A law firm on our panel can take it up with Lewisham Council for you. It’s free to check.
Start your claimIs Report Repair part of Lewisham Council?
No. Report Repair is independent and not part of Lewisham Council or any council or housing association. We show Lewisham’s own repair contacts, and if a repair you’ve reported hasn’t been fixed, we can introduce your claim to a law firm on our panel.
Repair problems
What the council has to fix, by problem
Not Lewisham?
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Reported a repair to Lewisham Council and still waiting?
About 2 minutes. No documents. Free to check.