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 installationsfor water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and heating water in proper working order.
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Types of 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 damp and can impact your health, 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 responsibility to put right any structural defects which includes fixing any blocked drains and guttering that can cause penetrating damp and damage to the internal plaster.Â
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 is safe for you, your family and any guests you may have visiting.
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 to your home.
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.
