Use this Checker to see which landlords and agents have been caught breaking the rules in London.
Get help with housing in London
Find information on how to go about renting and your rights as a renter, buying an affordable home and managing your mortgage payments.
For renters
For owners
For buyers
Everyone deserves a home they can afford.
The housing crisis is one of the greatest challenges facing our city, and we're doing everything possible to tackle it.
Below you can explore support available to renters, buyers and homeowners.
Help for renters
The law makes local councils responsible for ensuring private landlords meet their obligations to provide good quality, safe, accommodation.
Renters deserve protection from rogue landlords and agents, as well as a more secure and affordable private rented sector.
Resources for private renters
Use this form to report a rogue landlord or agent.
Check if your rented property needs a licence.
Find out about benefits or grants to help you with your rent.
Get to know your rights as a renter
Knowing your rights and how to enforce them can make a big difference to your experience of renting in London. We want every private renter to know what to look out for.
- Your landlord must give you two months’ notice if they want to evict you under Section 21 and they must take you to court if they want to evict you.
- Your landlord can only increase your rent if there is a rent review clause in your contract, or by serving a formal notice (a section 13 notice), which you can challenge at a tribunal.
- Your landlord must give at least 24 hours’ notice before visiting you but you do not need to agree unless it is for them to carry our repairs
- Your landlord does not need to initiate the return of your deposit – at the end of your tenancy, you can contact the deposit protection scheme to get your deposit back.
- Your landlord must pay for the repair or replacement of your boiler; they are also responsible for repairing anything to do with the structure and exterior of your home, like walls, roof, foundations, drains, gutters, external pipes, windows, electrics and external doors.
- Your landlord must give you an up-to-date gas safety certificate and energy performance certificate, proof that they have protected your deposit and the government’s How to rent guide when you move in.
This is not an exhaustive list of your rights as a private renter. You can also get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice.
Remember your local council can intervene if your landlord is not carrying out their legal responsibilities. You can contact them directly or via the Report a rogue landlord tool.
Resources for social renters
Find out about our council and social housing schemes.
Find out about benefits or grants to help you with your rent.
Help for owners
Explore help and support available with managing your mortgage.
If you have already missed a mortgage payment and are in arrears, MoneySavingExpert’s step-by-step guide will show you what to do.
If you’re struggling with a priority debt, which includes mortgages, a wide range of help is available.
Mortgage repayments can place particular pressure on your cost of living. The Mayor’s Cost of Living Hub is here to help you find ways to make ends meet.
Help for buyers
Explore tips and resources to help you get on the property ladder.
Shared Ownership is aimed at first time buyers who cannot afford to buy a property on the open market. Under the scheme you can buy at least a 25 per cent share in a home and pay a regulated rent to the freeholder on the remaining share.
Find out about London Living Rent, a type of affordable housing with rents based on a third of local household incomes.
The Homes for Londoners property search tool is a new way to find a home to buy or rent in the capital. You can use it to find a range of Shared Ownership, Help to Buy and Rental homes in London.
A wide-ranging list of and tips and ideas about what to do if you’re struggling. This includes tips to help you stop spending, get free (or cheap) food and save money on your weekly shop.
Affordable housing started near you
Find out how many new homes have been started in your area between 2016 and 2023 by using our search tool below.
The figures (from DLUHC table 1011) include all affordable homes started in your area not just council homes, including those which did not receive funding from the GLA.
Further support
Find affordable homes to buy or rent with the Homes for Londoners search tool.
Find out more information on council and affordable housing and renting in London.
Support available with energy and water bills, rent, TV, broadband, Council Tax and other household costs.
