Housing Disrepair Claims
If you’re renting a property which you feel is not maintained to a satisfactory standard, you may be entitled to make a housing disrepair claim against your landlord. Defects in the property can be detrimental to your health, the security of your home and possessions, and your enjoyment of your home. If you also suffer a Personal Injury as a result of the disrepair, it can impact you in a number of other ways.
Our specialist team provides expert legal advice in different languages to help clients with a wide variety of legal matters, including claims for household disrepair against landlords. We operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful. Call us today on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website for free advice on your claim.
How can disputes arise over housing disrepair?
If you’re not satisfied with the state of repair of your rented property, in most instances, your landlord is obliged to remedy the problem to your satisfaction. You should report such issues promptly to your landlord to give them a chance to do so. They may ask for proof such as photographs or carrying out an inspection.
If you feel that a dispute may arise it can be best to communicate with them in writing to ensure you have a record of your correspondence in case you need to provide evidence at a later date.
Disputes can arise if your landlord feels that you caused or contributed to the disrepair through your actions, but there are many instances where the disrepair of the property is clearly down to the landlord.
What can I do to resolve a disrepair issue with my landlord?
As with any form of legal action, the best way to start is by trying to resolve the dispute amicably. You may find that your landlord is more amenable to working this way than you thought. It will help your case if you can demonstrate that you tried to resolve the issue this way. Court action is expensive and should only be seen as a last resort.
First you should look at your rental agreement as this may clarify what is and isn’t the responsibility of your landlord. However, most of the examples below can’t legally be passed on to you as the tenant, even if stated in the rental agreement.
Keep records of all correspondence and if you communicate face to face or over the phone, make a note of the dates and key points of the conversation while they are fresh in your mind. You should then give them a reasonable time to carry out any remedial work. The timescales will vary based on the nature and extent of the problem.
What sort of issues are usually included in disrepair claims?
In theory, any form of disrepair can be relevant to a claim provided that it genuinely impacts you in your occupation of the property. Typical claims include:
- Issues with the gas supply and the safety of the gas equipment
- Failure to supply clean water at the property
- Leaks, Mould and Damp
- Infestation with insects or vermin
- The property is excessively cold or hot
In some instances, tenants also suffer Personal Injury as a consequence of the disrepair at the property. If this should happen to you, our specialist Personal Injury solicitors can also assist with this part of the claim.
How much compensation might I be entitled to for housing disrepair?
It is hard to give a likely compensation figure without knowing your full circumstances, so we strongly recommend that you contact us promptly for advice. The level of compensation will depend on a number of factors, but the main ones will be the nature of the disrepair and the amount of time you have been affected by it. We can usually give you a lot more clarity on our initial call as to whether or not your claim is likely to succeed.
How do I get advice on housing disrepair?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website and we’ll discuss your circumstances with you. There is no upfront cost – we’ll advise the best course of action to your dispute and then advise you of any costs before you choose whether or not to instruct us.
