What to Do if Your Home is Unsuitable

Who is living in your accommodation?

• Accommodation could be overcrowded if two people sleep in the same room and the all of the below applies:
  • Of a different sex.
  • Not in a couple.
  • Over 10 years old.

Types of room

• What counts as a room you can sleep in:
  • Bedrooms.
  • Living and dining rooms.
  • Home offices.
• What does not count as a room you can sleep in:
  • Bathrooms.
  • Small kitchens.
  • Utility rooms.
• The room is too small. This means:
  • It is less than 4.65 square metres.
  • You'll need to measure the length and width of the room's floor space using a tape measurer.
  • Then multiply the length and width together using a calculator to get work out the square meters.

The number of rooms and people

• Rules for what 'counts' as a person:
  • Someone who is aged 10 or over counts as 1 person.
  • Children aged 1 to 9 count as half a person.
  • Babies under 1 do not count as a person.
  • A maximum of 2 people can live in a property with 1 room
  • A maximum of 3 people can live in a property with 2 rooms.
  • A maximum of 5 people can live in a property with 3 rooms.
• Example:
  • A couple are living in a 2 bedroom flat with their two children.
  • One is a girl aged 12 and the other is a boy aged 9.
  • The children can share a room.
  • When the boy turns 10, he can share with his and the girl could share with his mum.

Why Mould and Damp are a Problem

• Health Issues: Mould and damp can make people sick, especially those with breathing problems.
• Damage to Your Home: Mould and damp can damage walls, floors, and furniture. It also makes rooms smell bad.

Signs of Mould and Damp

• Mould: Look for black, green, or white spots. Mould often appears on walls, ceilings, windows, or floors.
• Damp: You might see wet patches, feel that surfaces are always cold and damp, or notice peeling wallpaper or paint.
• Smell: A musty smell can also mean you have mould or damp.

Causes of Mould and Damp

• Leaking Pipes or Roofs: Water leaks can lead to dampness and mould.
• Poor Ventilation: Not enough fresh air coming into your home makes it easy for mould to grow.
• Condensation: Water can build up on windows or walls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

When Landlords Must Fix Mould and Damp

Both social and private landlords must repair mould and damp problems if they are caused by:

• Leaks from the roof, pipes, or other parts of the property
• Broken heating systems that lead to poor temperature control and condensation
• Poor ventilation in kitchens or bathrooms (e.g., no extractor fans or windows)
• Structural issues like cracks in walls or faulty damp-proofing

They cannot just paint over it if it keeps returning.

Your Responsibilities

Tenants are expected to:

• Ventilate the property by opening windows, using fans, and managing condensation
• Keep the property clean to prevent mould from spreading
• Report issues like leaks, structural problems, or signs of dampness to the landlord right away

If a tenant reports mould or damp and it's not their fault, the landlord should arrange repairs promptly.

What to Do if your Landlord Won't Help

If a landlord doesn’t address the problem, tenants can:

• Write a formal letter or email requesting repairs.
• Contact the local council if the problem is severe. Environmental health can inspect the property and enforce repairs if needed.
• Make a complaint to the Housing Ombudsman if in social housing.
• Make a complaint about your letting agent or get legal advice if in private housing.

Stairs and lack of lift access

• If your home is on an upper floor with no lift, stairs can make it difficult to enter and exit safely.
• You can ask your landlord or housing provider about options to move to a ground-floor unit. Some councils also provide priority transfers for people with accessibility needs.

Cramped and narrow spaces

• Narrow hallways and doorways can make it hard to use a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid indoors.
• Cramped spaces can also make it difficult for children with learning and care needs, especially in properties where living spaces and dangerous objects are close together, such as a hob or oven.
• You can request reasonable adjustments from your landlord or social housing provider, like widening doorways. The council or disability support organizations may offer grants for accessibility improvements.
• You can also let the council know that the property is unsuitable for you and your child by providing medical evidence.

Inaccessible Bathrooms

• Traditional bathrooms may have features that make them hard to use, like high bathtubs, low toilets, or a lack of grab bars.
• Ask about installing grab rails, walk-in showers, or raised toilets to make the bathroom safer and easier to use. Disabled Facilities Grants are often available through local councils to help cover these adaptations.

High Counters, Cupboards, or Shelves

• Tall counters, cupboards, or shelves make it hard for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility to access things safely.
• Talk to your landlord about adjustments like lowering counters or installing pull-down shelves. These modifications can also be covered by accessibility grants in some cases.

Lack of Emergency Systems for Hearing-Impaired People

• Standard fire alarms may not be suitable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Request installation of vibrating or flashing fire alarms. Some local councils offer these systems free for people with hearing impairments.

What you can do

• Contact Your Landlord: Discuss your needs and request reasonable adjustments. Landlords are often required by law to make accommodations if they’re reasonable
• Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (UK): This can cover costs for necessary adaptations if you qualify.
• Seek a Transfer: If modifications aren’t possible, ask your housing provider or council about moving to a more accessible property.

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Living in a place where you are at risk of violence

• Near or in a place where an abusive ex-partner lives or visits.
• Your children are unsafe from criminal activity.
• If you are fleeing domestic violence you will be higher priority to be rehoused in a different area.
• Receiving abuse from a neighbour.
• Consider moving to an undisclosed location, such as a women’s refuge, safe house, or housing with confidentiality agreements to keep your location private.

Unsuitable Housing Type or Shared Accommodation

• If you’re in shared housing, it may not offer the privacy or control over your environment that you need to feel safe.
• Shared spaces can make it harder to manage visitors and keep your situation confidential. It may also negatively impact people with mental health conditions, such as social anxiety.
• Look for self-contained housing or request self-contained housing from the council. You may need medical evidence.

Emotional Impact of the Current Location

• Living in the same home where violence or abuse happened can trigger traumatic memories and impact your mental health.
• Look for a transfer or a mutual exchange if you have social housing or look at moving to a new location. This can offer a fresh start and reduce the emotional stress associated with past trauma. 

Legal Protection Needs

• If you have a restraining order or other legal protection, it might be difficult to enforce in your current location if it’s too close to the person who harmed you.
• Inform local authorities or your support worker about your needs for enforcement, and seek housing options in an area where enforcement can be effectively managed.

What to do

• Notify the council of the danger.
• Look at your alternative options:
  • Ask the council for a transfer.
  • Request a managed move.
  • Set up a mutual exchange, e.g. through Homeswapper.
  • Look at private rented housing.

Health and medical care access

• Your housing might be too far from regular medical appointments (e.g., for chronic conditions, mental health support, or rehabilitation), which may cause you to miss appointments.
• Consider asking for housing closer to medical facilities. Some councils offer priority relocation or support for people with specific health needs who need to be closer to healthcare services

Support services access

• If you’re using social or support services, like therapy, legal aid, or community centres, being far away can limit access to the help you need, especially if you don’t have reliable transportation.
• Let your support worker or case manager know about your needs. They may be able to help you with housing closer to these services or provide assistance for transportation costs.

Employment and education

• If your accommodation is far from work or school, travel time can become unmanageable, leading to lateness, fatigue, or missed days.
• Some employers or educational programs offer support for travel or relocation. Local councils may also provide options for housing near work or educational opportunities.

High travel costs

• Living far away from appointments means more money spent on transport, which can add up and create financial stress.
• In some cases, councils or support services can help cover travel costs or assist in moving to more accessible accommodation.
• If moving isn’t an option, look into travel subsidies or discounted passes through the council, NHS, or local charities. 

Safety concerns and physical limitations

•  Long journeys can be risky or challenging if you have a physical disability, limited mobility, or safety concerns.
• If mobility or safety is a concern, speak with your landlord or council about options for a transfer. Accessible housing options closer to essential services may be available to you.

What you can do

• Request a housing transfer: If you’re in social housing or renting through an association, request a transfer explaining your need to be closer to essential services. Councils often give priority to those with medical or support needs.

• Apply for medical or hardship priority: In the UK, you may qualify for priority rehousing based on medical or hardship needs. You’ll likely need a letter from a healthcare provider explaining how your current distance impacts your health or access to care.

• Community resources and subsidies: Some charities and support organizations provide help with transport or help you find a place to live closer to the services you need. Some healthcare providers and support services also offer help with transportation costs.

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Am I eligible for a suitability review?

• A suitability review is strictly for social housing.
• If the council has a main housing duty towards you, then you can apply for one. This means you are in either of the following:
  • Temporary accommodation after being homeless.
  • Permanent accommodation. 
• You will not be eligible for a suitability review if you are in interim/emergency housing and your homelessness is being assessed.
  • If you are concerned about the suitability of your interim housing then tell your council.

Why would I apply for a suitability review?

• The problems above, are all reasons you might apply for a suitability review.
• It can help get you out of unsuitable housing into more suitable housing.
• It could make your life a lot easier.

How do I apply for a suitability review?

• Send a letter either in writing or via email to your council.
  • Templates can be found on Shelter's website.
  • Someone at the council or local library might be able to help you write one out.
  • FFT can also help you if you struggle to read and write.
• You have 3 weeks from the date of the offer.
  • Sometimes you can ask for an extension, e.g. if you need help.
  • If there is a change of circumstance you can request a suitability review at any time in your tenacncy.
• We recommend that you accept the offer for housing and then request a suitability review.
  • Otherwise, you risk making yourself intentionally homeless and losing your housing altogether.