Renting and the law
Am I entitled to alternative accommodation during major repairs?
There is no automatic, blanket right. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires your landlord to keep the structure, exterior and key installations in repair, but it does not by itself oblige them to rehouse you while works are done. Whether you get alternative accommodation, or compensation toward it, depends on the tenancy agreement, what a court orders in a serious disrepair case, a social landlord's decant policy, or, if the home becomes uninhabitable, a homelessness duty owed by your council. Take advice from Citizens Advice, Shelter or a housing solicitor before moving out or incurring costs.
When a landlord needs to carry out major works, perhaps to fix serious damp, a structural defect or fire damage, tenants often assume they must be put up somewhere else in the meantime. The reality is more nuanced, because the duty to repair and a duty to rehouse are not the same thing. This page explains where a right to alternative accommodation can come from.
This is general information, not legal advice, and outcomes turn heavily on the facts and the tenancy. For advice on your situation, speak to Citizens Advice, Shelter or a housing solicitor.
What section 11 does and does not cover
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 places an absolute repairing duty on landlords in most shorter tenancies: they must keep the structure and exterior in repair and keep the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation and heating in proper working order. That duty is the basis for getting the repairs done.
What section 11 does not do is automatically require the landlord to provide somewhere else to live while the work happens. A right to alternative accommodation, or to compensation that helps with it, has to come from another source.
Where a right to be rehoused can come from
Several routes can apply depending on the situation. The tenancy agreement itself may provide for temporary accommodation or rent suspension during works, so read it carefully. In a serious disrepair claim, a court can order the landlord to carry out works and can award compensation, which in some cases reflects the cost or disruption of having to live elsewhere. Many social landlords operate a decant policy that arranges temporary housing for tenants during major works.
Where a home becomes genuinely uninhabitable, you may be able to approach your council as homeless even while holding a tenancy, and the council assesses any duty it owes under the homelessness rules. These are distinct routes, so it is worth getting advice on which one fits.
Before you decide anything
Do not simply move out because works are starting. Leaving without advice can put your tenancy and any compensation claim at risk. Keep paying rent unless you are advised otherwise, keep all correspondence in writing, and document the condition of the property and the disruption. Then take advice from Citizens Advice, Shelter or a housing solicitor on whether you are entitled to alternative accommodation or compensation in your particular case.
Frequently asked questions
Does section 11 give me a right to be rehoused during repairs?
Not by itself. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 obliges the landlord to keep the structure, exterior and key installations in repair, but it does not automatically require them to provide alternative accommodation while works are done. A right to be rehoused, or to compensation, can arise from the tenancy agreement, a court order, or your council, rather than from section 11 alone.
When might I be rehoused or compensated?
It depends on the circumstances. Some tenancy agreements provide for it. In serious disrepair cases a court can order works and award compensation, which may cover the cost of temporary accommodation. Social landlords often have a decant policy for major works. And if a home becomes uninhabitable, your council may owe a homelessness duty. Take advice early to see which route applies.
What if my home is unsafe to live in?
If a property is so badly affected that it is not reasonable to live in, you may be able to approach your council as homeless, even though you have a tenancy. The council assesses this under the homelessness rules. Shelter and Citizens Advice can help you understand whether you qualify and what to ask for.
Should I just move out?
Be careful. Leaving without advice can affect your tenancy and any compensation claim. Keep paying rent unless advised otherwise, keep everything in writing, and speak to Citizens Advice, Shelter or a housing solicitor before making decisions about moving out or any costs you incur.
Sources
Editor, HomesAndHedge
Oliver Mackman is the editor of HomesAndHedge and is accountable for its editorial standards and sourcing. He ensures every claim is backed by a named source such as the Property Care Association, the RHS, the NHS or gov.uk, and that the site is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026