New data from a Freedom of Information request by Veritas Solicitors uncovers that housing disrepair complaints have increased by 560% since 2020.
The data covers some of the UK’s largest city councils, including Cardiff, which recorded the highest number of complaints at 2,298 since 2020, followed by Manchester (2,092), Leicester (1,648), and City of Westminster (1,615).
Across the individual councils, the scale of increase is significant, as Leicester saw a 1,340 per cent rise in complaints between 2020 and 2024, whilst Newcastle recorded the steepest overall rise, reaching 587 complaints by September 2025 compared to just 51 in 2020.
Cardiff saw the highest single-year total with 673 complaints in 2024, where Manchester remained consistently among the worst-performing areas, averaging more than 350 complaints per year for six consecutive years.
The City of Westminster also recorded consistently high complaint levels, reaching 418 in the latest year, reflecting the same increased pressure on councils seen across the country.
Each council received hundreds of complaints every year, highlighting that housing disrepair remains an issue nationwide for tenants.
Reports of black mould, leaks, damp, infestations and broken heating systems have become commonplace, with many residents waiting months for repairs to be completed.
The figures come as Awaab’s Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 from mould in his home, comes into force this year, setting strict time limits for landlords to fix reported hazards.
Managing Partner at Veritas Solicitors, Faraz Fazal, said: “The rising number of complaints shows there are ongoing failings in how housing repairs are managed.”
“We regularly hear from residents dealing with black mould, persistent leaks, broken boilers and infestations.
“Tenants have a legal right to live in safe, habitable homes, but too many are left waiting far too long for essential repairs.
“We need stronger oversight and faster responses from councils.”
The findings also follow the Housing Ombudsman 2024 report, which found that 73% of its complaints resulted in maladministration because the landlord did not follow its legal requirements, policy or process.
Veritas Solicitors specialises in housing disrepair claims and has represented hundreds of tenants across the UK pursuing legal redress for unsafe or neglected housing conditions.
The firm is calling for stronger national oversight and improved transparen