housing disrepair
We understand that your rented property should feel like a home, but when your property suffers from housing disrepair, it becomes difficult to find comfort.
If your landlord is not repairing the housing disrepair after you have complained to them about it, we can help.
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What is Housing Disrepair?
Housing disrepair is when your property suffers from damage or a defect for which your Landlord is responsible. The law requires your landlord to complete basic repairs to your property, whether they are private landlord, local council or a housing association.
Your Landlord must keep in repair the structure and exterior of the property and keep any installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and heating water in proper working order.
Types of Housing Disrepair
MOULD / HEALTH WARNINGS
Living with damp and mould is always distressing. It can make your home and clothing smell and cause respiratory illness in vulnerable people especially young children. It is very common for Landlords claim that mould is caused by condensation because of the tenants failing to open windows or keep the heating on. That is not always the case. Specialist surveyors instructed by us can advise if it is and if you have a right to claim. Â If you do not accept that it is your lifestyle causing the damp or mould, get in touch with us now.
Leaks
It is your landlord's responsibility to keep in repair the roof and to prevent leaking sinks, baths and showers. The problem with leaks is that unless they are fixed promptly, they will soon make life very difficult. It can lead to mould and dampness and can impact your health, and cause damage to your belongings and the enjoyment of your home. Find out if you can claim compensation for any leaks.
BLOCKED DRAIN / GUTTERING
This can lead to flooding and penetrating damp coming through the walls into your home. Sometimes this can be raw effluent. Your landlord has the responsibility to put right any structural defects which include fixing any blocked drains and guttering that can cause penetrating damp and damage to the internal plaster.
BOILER /
RADIATOR ISSUES
If the property came installed with a boiler and central heating, it is your landlord's responsibility to make sure that is in a safe working order, which provides adequate heating and hot water. You don't have to live in a cold damp home. The law is there to ensure that landlords fulfil their responsibility.
DEFECTIVE / ROTTEN WINDOWS
Faulty windows or failed double glazing can allow water to penetrate your home. They can also cause cold spots leading to condensation. It can also lead to excessive heat loss. These can make life unpleasant and affect your health. It is your landlord's responsibility to fix defective windows. If they don't then you could have a claim.
DAMAGED
PLASTERWORK
This is often a sign of penetrating or rising damp. This usually if water has entered your home through the faulty brickwork or external wall. The plaster is brittle and crumble to touch. If this has happened to your home, your landlord may have the responsibility to repair both the inside plasterwork and repair the external brickwork to prevent it happening again.
CRACKED
PAVEMENT
If the pathway, driveway or outside yard to your home is cracked, your landlord has a responsibility to make it safe for you, your family and any guests you may have visiting.
INFESTATION
An infested home can pose health risks. Vermin can contaminate food and damage your belongings. Your landlord has a responsibility to make sure that your home is vermin free when you move in.
If your home needs repairs and it is those issues that are allowing vermin into the property e.g. hole in exterior wall, broken pipework, or uncovered drains - then it is your landlord's responsibility to do the repairs and arrange pest control.
FAULTY ELECTRICS
Your landlord must make sure that the electricity in your home is safe. Â Any exposed wires, damaged outlets can pose a serious risk. If your electrics are dangerous, you may be able to take emergency court action to compel your landlord to act.
If the ventilation fan in your kitchen or bathroom no longer works properly it is your landlord's responsibility to fix or replace it. Defective fans can lead to excessive condensation that can lead to damp and damage your belongings.
DEFECTIVE BRICKWORK
Defective brickwork in your rental home could cause damp and damage to internal walls and furnishing. Your landlord has a duty to repair any cracked or defective brickwork in your home.
Can I Make a Housing Disrepair Claim?
If you have been living with disrepair, claiming can be easy. Thousands of people are unaware of the rights they have when a landlord refuses to repair a rented property. We can get your Landlord to complete the works within a specific period and get you compensation for your suffering.
When are you
able to bring a claim?
You can bring a claim for housing disrepair against your Landlord at any point if:
- Your property suffers from ongoing disrepair
- You have reported the housing disrepair to your Landlord
- Your Landlord has failed to complete the repairs within a reasonable time
There is a six-year limitation on these types of claims. This means that a claim must be brought within six years of the first complaint to your landlord. However, if your problem has been persistent for more than six years, you can still claim but the compensation will be limited to six years. If you have answered yes to all three criteria you are eligible to make a claim.
What can I do to ensure
I have a strong claim?
We advise all our clients to keep a record of all exchanges with their Landlord. For example, some Landlords send SMS messages and others discuss repairs via email or letters etc. There are a few Landlords that use applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Any proof you have is best to keep a hold of.
It is also a good idea to take images or videos of the disrepair. We can use these to show how the disrepair has gotten worse over time.
How can I bring a claim
against my Landlord?
Tenant Advice Service can help you to get compensation and create an agreement with your landlord to ensure they carry out the necessary repairs.
If we take on your case, we will:
Why choose tenant advice service?
We are Tenant Advice Service, a law firm dedicated to helping tenants. We provide a no-win no-fee service. This means you do not have to worry about legal costs when fighting for your right to claim compensation if your landlord has failed to repair any damage to your house, failed to protect your deposit or has unlawfully evicted you.
We will deal with your case from start to finish, quickly and efficiently and get you the best compensation we can. Speak to one of our helpful lawyers now.
