Are you experiencing issues with housing disrepair? If you are a tenant living in a rented property, your landlord will have agreed to repair certain aspects of your property set out in your “tenancy agreement.”
If you don’t have a tenancy agreement, such as a verbal agreement between you and your landlord, the law requires your landlord to perform basic repairs, including maintaining the structure and interior of your home.
What is housing disrepair?
Housing disrepair refers to a property’s poor condition due to a landlord’s failure to carry out necessary repairs. Common examples include:
- Damp and mould: On-going moisture problems that can affect health.
- Leaks and water damage: Unrepaired plumbing, roof, or structural leaks.
- Faulty heating or electrics: Broken boilers, unsafe wiring, or lack of heating.
- Structural issues: Cracked walls, unstable floors, or roof damage.
- Pest infestations: Rodents or insects due to poor maintenance.
- Broken fixtures: Faulty windows, doors, or locks that compromise security.
It doesn’t make a difference whether you are leasing from:
- A private landlord
- Local council
- A social landlord
When you have told your landlord of the disrepair, your landlord must not unreasonably postpone doing the fixes. In the event that they don’t do the fixes within a sensible timeframe, then you have a potential case for disrepair against them.
Can You Make a Housing Disrepair Claim?
If you’ve encountered problems in a rented property and your landlord hasn’t resolved them despite your notification, you might be eligible for compensation by making use of our no win, no fee service. Your eligibility depends on factors such as:
- The repairs in question fall under your landlord’s responsibility.
- You have informed your landlord about the problems.
- They have enough time to complete the repairs.
- There is clear proof of the disrepair and any resulting damage.
If these conditions apply to your situation, we can assist you in building a strong claim and ensuring necessary repairs are completed. At Marley Solicitors, we prioritise your well-being by aiming to make your home safe and comfortable.
What Can a Housing Disrepair Claim Do for Tenants?
If your landlord has neglected essential repairs in your rented home, pursuing a housing disrepair claim can help you achieve two key outcomes, both of which can be included in the same case.
Compensation for Disrepair
You may be entitled to compensation, either through direct negotiations with your landlord or a legal ruling. This compensation primarily covers the distress and inconvenience of living in unsuitable conditions during the period of disrepair. Additionally, if the issue has impacted your health or damaged your belongings; for example, mould-related illnesses, heating failures, or water damage, you may be eligible for further compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenities (PSLA).
Claims can also be made if parts of the property become unusable for an extended period, such as a broken appliance, unsafe electrical wiring, or an unusable kitchen or bathroom.
Client testimonial – Housing disrepair claim
“I was dealing with housing disrepair and poor accommodation standards. Marley Solicitors was recommended to me by a friend after they had received amazing support from them.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Yasmin and having her help me for the entirety of the case. She was very informative and explained very well what was going on and what the next steps to take were going to be. In the end, she helped us receive substantial compensation from our housing association, more that we thought we were going to get.
They worked swiftly and effectively without delaying anything. I definitely recommend them to anyone having legal trouble. Thank you to Yasmin and her team!”
– Shene
Client testimonial – Housing association claim
“I fought with my housing association for two years to get work done to an acceptable standard.
Yasmin from Marley solicitors took my case and was relentless until all of the work was completed and I also received a cash payment from them.
Without her help I would still be fighting them to get the work done.
Thank you so much.”
Yasmin from Marley solicitors took my case and was relentless until all of the work was completed and I also received a cash payment from them.
Without her help I would still be fighting them to get the work done.
Thank you so much.”
– Lesley
Forcing Your Landlord to Carry Out Repairs
If your landlord continues to ignore the problem, a court can legally compel them to complete the necessary repairs. This may be done through an Order for Specific Performance or a Mandatory Injunction, both of which legally oblige the landlord to fix the issue or face penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
You might even be able to arrange the repairs yourself and deduct the cost from your future rent payments in certain circumstances.
Let us Help
In the event that you wish to seek a case against your landlord, please contact us to make an appointment, as we need to provide them with 21 days’ notice. Our expert team handles housing disrepair claims on a no-win, no-fee basis, helping tenants secure necessary repairs and compensation with no financial worry.
Use our online housing disrepair claim calculator
While online calculators can give you a general idea, they lack the precision of a solicitor’s evaluation. We calculate your housing disrepair claim for free and work to secure the highest possible compensation.
