My landlord ignores my repair request — who do I contact?
The landlord must keep the home in usable condition: heating, water, electricity, a roof that does not leak. Write a dated repair request with a deadline (two weeks is normal, 24 hours for no heating in winter) — the letter is what every next step is built on. Then Servicio de mediación en vivienda de tu comunidad (mivau.gob.es) is the body for tenancy disputes in Spain, cheap or free and without a lawyer. OCU — Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (ocu.org) advises on rent reduction and repair-and-deduct. For dangers to health — no heating, no water, electrical hazards — Servicios de salud pública / inspección de vivienda del ayuntamiento (sanidad.gob.es) can inspect and order the landlord to act.
🗣️ What to say
"Since [date] the [heating / boiler / roof / …] at [address] is [defect]. I asked you on [date] with no result. Please repair it by [deadline]. If not, I will reduce the rent proportionally from [date] and refer the matter to Servicio de mediación en vivienda de tu comunidad."
🪜 Step by step
- Write, dated, with photosEmail or letter with the defect, the date it started, photos and a deadline. Keep proof of sending.
- Know the remediesRent reduction from the day of the report in most countries; repair yourself and deduct after a written warning; the tenancy board for anything bigger.
- Health or safety at risk? Servicios de salud pública / inspección de vivienda del ayuntamientoThe municipal inspection can order works and fine a landlord who leaves a home unfit.
- Go to Servicio de mediación en vivienda de tu comunidadFree or low-fee, no lawyer. Bring the letters and photos. Decisions bind the landlord.
- Do not stop paying rent outrightReduce proportionally and say why in writing; a full stop can become grounds for eviction.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Can I fix it and deduct the cost?
In most countries yes, after a written notice with a reasonable deadline, for necessary repairs, at a reasonable price. Keep the invoices. Check with OCU — Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios first for your country's rule.
How much rent reduction?
Proportional to the loss of use: a broken boiler in winter can justify 20–50 %, a dripping tap almost nothing. OCU — Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios has tables from past decisions.
The landlord threatens to evict me for complaining
Retaliatory eviction is not a valid ground anywhere in the EU. Keep everything in writing and tell OCU — Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios.
📎 Sources
- Servicio de mediación en vivienda de tu comunidad →
- OCU — Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios →
- Servicios de salud pública / inspección de vivienda del ayuntamiento →
- Ayuntamiento — Policía local / atención ciudadana →
- Colegio de Abogados — turno de oficio / justicia gratuita →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “landlord refuses repairs Spain”
- “rent reduction repairs not done”
- “tenant rights repairs Spain”
- “no heating landlord what to do”
- “report unfit housing”
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