Housing Disrepair Claims
Housing Disrepair Claims
If your property is in a state of disrepair, you may be able to claim repairs and compensation from your landlord. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are obliged to keep their properties in a good state of repair. If they fail to do so, tenants may be able to take action..
The Tenancy Act 1985 requires your landlord must ensure that your new home is fit to be lived in, from the day they let it to you and throughout your letting period. This includes if you are a tenant living in a council house or a residential property belonging to a housing association.
Tenants rights on housing disrepair claims pre action protocol
If you’re considering making a housing disrepair claim, it’s important to get expert legal advice as soon as possible.
Our specialist housing solicitors can help you assess your case and take action against your landlord.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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We DO NOT charge you for our services. Our service is a FREE assessment of your Housing Disrepair. We are paid a recommendation fee at the point at which your claim is deemed successful by the solicitors handling it. You are not required to use a claims management company to make your complaint and can make the claim yourself for free, either by complaining directly to the council/housing association first and then by making a complaint to a housing complaint service such as The Housing Ombudsman https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/
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For a FREE no obligation assessment and check if you have a claim – You may be entitled to claim up to £10,000 in compensation and repairs fixed.
Council house damp problems?
Damp and mould are common problems in rented properties, and can have a serious impact on tenants’ health.
If your property is affected by damp and mould, you should contact us immediately.
you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim against your council or housing association.
Compensation
Expert Housing Solicitors
You can claim compensation if you’ve suffered inconvenience or have not been able to use your home in the normal way.
Landlords have a duty of care to their tenants to ensure that their homes are safe and fit for human habitation.
This means that landlords must take reasonable steps to ensure that the property is in good repair and does not pose a health or safety hazard to tenants.
Our dedicated panel of expert housing solicitors collect the facts about each individual disrepair complaint and consider if your landlord is in breach of their tenancy agreement.
The solicitors will then carry out an initial assessment of your case and then instruct a professional surveyor to complete a report.
Repairs
This report will seek to identify any repairs that need fulfilling, and request that the landlord acts upon these recommendations and subsequently carries out said property repairs within an agreed time frame.
Housing Disrepair Claim
Any receipts proving you had to replace things that had been damaged or destroyed by the problem, will also strengthen your case.
Any medical reports explaining how your health has been affected and any report from your council’s environmental health department will substantiate your claim for housing disrepair compensation.
Did you know?
On 20 March 2019 a new law came into force to make sure that rented houses and flats are ‘fit for human habitation’, which means that they are safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm.
If rented houses and flats are not ‘fit for human habitation’, tenants can take their landlords to court.
Housing Disrepair Claims
We will consider an injury – or episode of ill-health – suffered as a result of the disrepair, along with any other losses such as damage to clothes, carpets, furniture etc.
Before starting legal action, you must make sure you have reported the repairs and given your landlord time to complete them.
You must also gather all the evidence needed to lend documented support to your claim for the claims process.
Your evidence could include copies of letters that show you have reported the problem to your landlord, together with any photographs which show examples of the disrepair or damaged property.
Government Indicators of Housing Disrepair Claim include:
- Damp & Mould Issues
- Excess Cold
- Excess Heat
- Pollutants
- Gas Leak
- Inadequate Space
- Risk of Intruders
- Lack of Light
- Noise
- Poor Hygiene Standards
- Prone to Accidents
- Electrical Hazards
- Fire Hazard
- Structural Issues
There are many causes of damp and mould, and these are often associated with the structure of your home. This often requires far more work than the easy and frequently suggested fix of cleaning and redecorating over the problem.
If not tackled, damp and mould can cause respiratory problems and infections as well as affect the immune system of vulnerable people, particularly young children.
A cold home is one that cannot be economically maintained at the between the temperatures 18°C to 21°C. This puts tenants at risk of flu and pneumonia; heart attacks or strokes, hypothermia and in some cases can be fatal.
Likewise, a house that is too hot has health implications, with the potential to cause dehydration, stroke and heart attacks, as well as breathing difficulties. The elderly are most vulnerable to excess heat in the home.
Asbestos was a commonly used building material in the 1950s and 1960s. Although the materials are generally safe when in good condition, if they are damaged, they release fibres into the air that can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Pesticides and other chemicals have been used to treat timber mould growth and pests but can also have negative implications on respiratory health.
Carbon Monoxide can be highly toxic and cause nausea, bronchitis, and asphyxiation.
Lead from paint or pipes can potentially cause nervous disorders as well as behavioral problems in children.
Gas leaks from cookers or heaters can cause suffocation and explosion. Ensure that all appliances are properly installed and maintained and that your landlord has an annual gas safety check carried out.
Crowding leads to a risk of infections, accidents and the spread of contagious diseases. Tenants are entitled to adequate space in living rooms, kitchens and other recreational space.
If the property is not adequately secured against intruders, this can cause high levels of stress. This includes broken locks to windows and doors.
Insufficient lighting can cause depression and vitamin D deficiency.
Noise caused by poor sound insulation allows penetration of excessive levels of noise causing sleep disturbance. Further problems that arise from this are poor concentration, headaches and anxiety.
Poor Hygiene, waste and pests can lead to infection and diseases. As a tenant your property should be free from cracks and holes which would allow the entry of pests.
You should also be entitled to the provision of an adequate water supply including drinking water from the main supply.
Falling is a common hazard and is often associated with baths, showers, trip hazards, low windows, and stairs. These hazards may cause physical injuries including fractures or brain and head injuries.
Faulty wiring and old sockets are a high risk and can cause electric shocks and, in some cases, be fatal. Installation of electrics should be safe and in a good state of repair.
Cookers and heaters should be situated away from flammable materials in a safe position. This will reduce the risks caused by flames and hot surfaces.
A poorly maintained property can lead to explosions, entrapment, and structural collapse. There is a serious risk of physical injury if such an event were to take place. Identify whether your roof and identify if there are any lose tiles or leaking or damaged guttering.
Housing Disrepair Claim
Any receipts proving you had to replace things that had been damaged or destroyed by the problem, will also strengthen your case.
Any medical reports explaining how your health has been affected and any report from your council’s environmental health department will substantiate your claim for housing disrepair compensation.
Physical effects of damp and mould in a council home
If you have damp and mould in your home you’re more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system and can cause serious harm.
Some people are more sensitive than others, including:
- babies and children
- elderly people
- those with existing skin problems, such as eczema
- those with respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma
- those with a weakened immune system, such as those having chemotherapy
These people should stay away from damp and mould.
Check out NHS.UK for more info
Psychological Stress
In addition to a health suffered from damp and mould, some tenants suffer from psychological stress too.
During the healing process – the duration of which fluctuates from person to person, depending on injuries and personal circumstances – some people notice signs of increased stress. One such condition often cited being Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD).
Elsewhere, anxiety, depression, anguish, fearfulness, issues with sleep and reoccurring nightmares about the crash can play out.
Totally stress-free...No Win No FEE
Our qualified team are equipped with everything that it takes to handle your claim journey, from beginning to end.
After 18 years, we are well placed to make sure that you’re in receipt of a comprehensive litigation package, designed to protect both you and your family.
Times change, and with it so does the nuances of the legal sector. We grant you access to solicitors who will ultimately guide you towards the most advantageous outcome to your case.
Frequently asked Questions
How much compensation can I get for a housing disrepair claim?
Compensation depends on the level of disrepair, the rent you pay and the impact that the repair problems had on you and your family’s health, both mental and physical.
How long can my landlord avoid carrying out a repair?
This depends on the severity of the repair. If the repair is ‘urgent’ this could class as having no heating and water, then the landlord must make the appropriate action immediately.
However, you are required to give your landlord 21 days notice before making a housing disrepair claim.
If you have questions regarding any repair timescales you can give us a call for free advice today.
Can a landlord evict me for making a claim?
We can help with claims for tenants of council houses and housing associations. Your landlord cannot evict you for making a claim. You are protected under section 11 of the Housing Act.
How DIYPI can help with a housing disrepair claim.......
With access to the top personal housing lawyers in the country our experienced team will find the right lawyer for your case and work hard to gain you the full amount of compensation you deserve along with repairs carried out to your home.
Our friendly team treat each claim with the upmost care and attention to ensure that we secure you the most fair and reasonable financial outcome possible. With a free claims assessment and No Win No Fee* policy, you’ve got nothing to lose.
*What is 'No Win No Fee'?*
A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) in the legal world, is an arrangement between a claimant and solicitor. In simple terms a ‘No Win No Fee’ arrangement means that you will not pay a fee if your claim is unsuccessful.
*No Win No Fee * typically customers pay 25% of the amount recovered to our solicitors, although this will be subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this.
If you cancel the claim after the cooling-off period of 14 days you may be charged a cancellation fee by the solicitor.
